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authorPauli Virtanen <pav@iki.fi>2014-01-02 22:41:27 +0200
committerPauli Virtanen <pav@iki.fi>2014-01-02 22:41:27 +0200
commit337366c6d512b47e6a702d18a3f3f6240c3fda4a (patch)
treecf9affed706e98fe8731032c37895ab6c3e39737
parent5bcfbe92fd7fa5db67ba0fc06a1e63a806c33127 (diff)
downloadnumpy-337366c6d512b47e6a702d18a3f3f6240c3fda4a.tar.gz
DOC: split up f2py user guide + markup fixes
-rw-r--r--doc/source/contents.rst1
-rw-r--r--doc/source/f2py/advanced.rst45
-rw-r--r--doc/source/f2py/distutils.rst108
-rw-r--r--doc/source/f2py/getting-started.rst261
-rw-r--r--doc/source/f2py/index.rst1732
-rw-r--r--doc/source/f2py/python-usage.rst419
-rw-r--r--doc/source/f2py/signature-file.rst651
-rw-r--r--doc/source/f2py/usage.rst233
8 files changed, 1726 insertions, 1724 deletions
diff --git a/doc/source/contents.rst b/doc/source/contents.rst
index 04ee229b2..023ebb8a0 100644
--- a/doc/source/contents.rst
+++ b/doc/source/contents.rst
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ Numpy manual contents
user/index
reference/index
+ f2py/index
dev/index
release
about
diff --git a/doc/source/f2py/advanced.rst b/doc/source/f2py/advanced.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7990a9ce4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/source/f2py/advanced.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+======================
+Advanced F2PY usages
+======================
+
+Adding self-written functions to F2PY generated modules
+=======================================================
+
+Self-written Python C/API functions can be defined inside
+signature files using ``usercode`` and ``pymethoddef`` statements
+(they must be used inside the ``python module`` block). For
+example, the following signature file ``spam.pyf``
+
+.. include:: spam.pyf
+ :literal:
+
+wraps the C library function ``system()``::
+
+ f2py -c spam.pyf
+
+In Python:
+
+.. include:: spam_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+Modifying the dictionary of a F2PY generated module
+===================================================
+
+The following example illustrates how to add an user-defined
+variables to a F2PY generated extension module. Given the following
+signature file
+
+.. include:: var.pyf
+ :literal:
+
+compile it as ``f2py -c var.pyf``.
+
+Notice that the second ``usercode`` statement must be defined inside
+an ``interface`` block and where the module dictionary is available through
+the variable ``d`` (see ``f2py var.pyf``-generated ``varmodule.c`` for
+additional details).
+
+In Python:
+
+.. include:: var_session.dat
+ :literal:
diff --git a/doc/source/f2py/distutils.rst b/doc/source/f2py/distutils.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..30debf824
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/source/f2py/distutils.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+============================
+Using via``numpy_distutils``
+============================
+
+``numpy_distutils`` is part of the SciPy_ project and aims to extend
+standard Python ``distutils`` to deal with Fortran sources and F2PY
+signature files, e.g. compile Fortran sources, call F2PY to construct
+extension modules, etc.
+
+.. topic:: Example
+
+ Consider the following `setup file`__:
+
+ .. include:: setup_example.py
+ :literal:
+
+ Running
+
+ ::
+
+ python setup_example.py build
+
+ will build two extension modules ``scalar`` and ``fib2`` to the
+ build directory.
+
+ __ setup_example.py
+
+``numpy_distutils`` extends ``distutils`` with the following features:
+
+* ``Extension`` class argument ``sources`` may contain Fortran source
+ files. In addition, the list ``sources`` may contain at most one
+ F2PY signature file, and then the name of an Extension module must
+ match with the ``<modulename>`` used in signature file. It is
+ assumed that an F2PY signature file contains exactly one ``python
+ module`` block.
+
+ If ``sources`` does not contain a signature files, then F2PY is used
+ to scan Fortran source files for routine signatures to construct the
+ wrappers to Fortran codes.
+
+ Additional options to F2PY process can be given using ``Extension``
+ class argument ``f2py_options``.
+
+``numpy_distutils`` 0.2.2 and up
+================================
+
+* The following new ``distutils`` commands are defined:
+
+ ``build_src``
+ to construct Fortran wrapper extension modules, among many other things.
+ ``config_fc``
+ to change Fortran compiler options
+
+ as well as ``build_ext`` and ``build_clib`` commands are enhanced
+ to support Fortran sources.
+
+ Run
+
+ ::
+
+ python <setup.py file> config_fc build_src build_ext --help
+
+ to see available options for these commands.
+
+* When building Python packages containing Fortran sources, then one
+ can choose different Fortran compilers by using ``build_ext``
+ command option ``--fcompiler=<Vendor>``. Here ``<Vendor>`` can be one of the
+ following names::
+
+ absoft sun mips intel intelv intele intelev nag compaq compaqv gnu vast pg hpux
+
+ See ``numpy_distutils/fcompiler.py`` for up-to-date list of
+ supported compilers or run
+
+ ::
+
+ f2py -c --help-fcompiler
+
+``numpy_distutils`` pre 0.2.2
+=============================
+
+* The following new ``distutils`` commands are defined:
+
+ ``build_flib``
+ to build f77/f90 libraries used by Python extensions;
+ ``run_f2py``
+ to construct Fortran wrapper extension modules.
+
+ Run
+
+ ::
+
+ python <setup.py file> build_flib run_f2py --help
+
+ to see available options for these commands.
+
+* When building Python packages containing Fortran sources, then one
+ can choose different Fortran compilers either by using ``build_flib``
+ command option ``--fcompiler=<Vendor>`` or by defining environment
+ variable ``FC_VENDOR=<Vendor>``. Here ``<Vendor>`` can be one of the
+ following names::
+
+ Absoft Sun SGI Intel Itanium NAG Compaq Digital Gnu VAST PG
+
+ See ``numpy_distutils/command/build_flib.py`` for up-to-date list of
+ supported compilers.
+
+.. _SciPy: http://www.numpy.org/
diff --git a/doc/source/f2py/getting-started.rst b/doc/source/f2py/getting-started.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..20c10b378
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/source/f2py/getting-started.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,261 @@
+======================================
+ Three ways to wrap - getting started
+======================================
+
+Wrapping Fortran or C functions to Python using F2PY consists of the
+following steps:
+
+* Creating the so-called signature file that contains descriptions of
+ wrappers to Fortran or C functions, also called as signatures of the
+ functions. In the case of Fortran routines, F2PY can create initial
+ signature file by scanning Fortran source codes and
+ catching all relevant information needed to create wrapper
+ functions.
+
+* Optionally, F2PY created signature files can be edited to optimize
+ wrappers functions, make them "smarter" and more "Pythonic".
+
+* F2PY reads a signature file and writes a Python C/API module containing
+ Fortran/C/Python bindings.
+
+* F2PY compiles all sources and builds an extension module containing
+ the wrappers. In building extension modules, F2PY uses
+ ``numpy_distutils`` that supports a number of Fortran 77/90/95
+ compilers, including Gnu, Intel,
+ Sun Fortre, SGI MIPSpro, Absoft, NAG, Compaq etc. compilers.
+
+Depending on a particular situation, these steps can be carried out
+either by just in one command or step-by-step, some steps can be
+ommited or combined with others.
+
+Below I'll describe three typical approaches of using F2PY.
+The following `example Fortran 77 code`__ will be used for
+illustration:
+
+.. include:: fib1.f
+ :literal:
+
+__ fib1.f
+
+The quick way
+==============
+
+The quickest way to wrap the Fortran subroutine ``FIB`` to Python is
+to run
+
+::
+
+ f2py -c fib1.f -m fib1
+
+This command builds (see ``-c`` flag, execute ``f2py`` without
+arguments to see the explanation of command line options) an extension
+module ``fib1.so`` (see ``-m`` flag) to the current directory. Now, in
+Python the Fortran subroutine ``FIB`` is accessible via ``fib1.fib``::
+
+ >>> import Numeric
+ >>> import fib1
+ >>> print fib1.fib.__doc__
+ fib - Function signature:
+ fib(a,[n])
+ Required arguments:
+ a : input rank-1 array('d') with bounds (n)
+ Optional arguments:
+ n := len(a) input int
+
+ >>> a=Numeric.zeros(8,'d')
+ >>> fib1.fib(a)
+ >>> print a
+ [ 0. 1. 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. 13.]
+
+.. note::
+
+ * Note that F2PY found that the second argument ``n`` is the
+ dimension of the first array argument ``a``. Since by default all
+ arguments are input-only arguments, F2PY concludes that ``n`` can
+ be optional with the default value ``len(a)``.
+
+ * One can use different values for optional ``n``::
+
+ >>> a1=Numeric.zeros(8,'d')
+ >>> fib1.fib(a1,6)
+ >>> print a1
+ [ 0. 1. 1. 2. 3. 5. 0. 0.]
+
+ but an exception is raised when it is incompatible with the input
+ array ``a``::
+
+ >>> fib1.fib(a,10)
+ fib:n=10
+ Traceback (most recent call last):
+ File "<stdin>", line 1, in ?
+ fib.error: (len(a)>=n) failed for 1st keyword n
+ >>>
+
+ This demonstrates one of the useful features in F2PY, that it,
+ F2PY implements basic compatibility checks between related
+ arguments in order to avoid any unexpected crashes.
+
+ * When a Numeric array, that is Fortran contiguous and has a typecode
+ corresponding to presumed Fortran type, is used as an input array
+ argument, then its C pointer is directly passed to Fortran.
+
+ Otherwise F2PY makes a contiguous copy (with a proper typecode) of
+ the input array and passes C pointer of the copy to Fortran
+ subroutine. As a result, any possible changes to the (copy of)
+ input array have no effect to the original argument, as
+ demonstrated below::
+
+ >>> a=Numeric.ones(8,'i')
+ >>> fib1.fib(a)
+ >>> print a
+ [1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1]
+
+ Clearly, this is not an expected behaviour. The fact that the
+ above example worked with ``typecode='d'`` is considered
+ accidental.
+
+ F2PY provides ``intent(inplace)`` attribute that would modify
+ the attributes of an input array so that any changes made by
+ Fortran routine will be effective also in input argument. For example,
+ if one specifies ``intent(inplace) a`` (see below, how), then
+ the example above would read:
+
+ >>> a=Numeric.ones(8,'i')
+ >>> fib1.fib(a)
+ >>> print a
+ [ 0. 1. 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. 13.]
+
+ However, the recommended way to get changes made by Fortran
+ subroutine back to python is to use ``intent(out)`` attribute. It
+ is more efficient and a cleaner solution.
+
+ * The usage of ``fib1.fib`` in Python is very similar to using
+ ``FIB`` in Fortran. However, using *in situ* output arguments in
+ Python indicates a poor style as there is no safety mechanism
+ in Python with respect to wrong argument types. When using Fortran
+ or C, compilers naturally discover any type mismatches during
+ compile time but in Python the types must be checked in
+ runtime. So, using *in situ* output arguments in Python may cause
+ difficult to find bugs, not to mention that the codes will be less
+ readable when all required type checks are implemented.
+
+ Though the demonstrated way of wrapping Fortran routines to Python
+ is very straightforward, it has several drawbacks (see the comments
+ above). These drawbacks are due to the fact that there is no way
+ that F2PY can determine what is the acctual intention of one or the
+ other argument, is it input or output argument, or both, or
+ something else. So, F2PY conservatively assumes that all arguments
+ are input arguments by default.
+
+ However, there are ways (see below) how to "teach" F2PY about the
+ true intentions (among other things) of function arguments; and then
+ F2PY is able to generate more Pythonic (more explicit, easier to
+ use, and less error prone) wrappers to Fortran functions.
+
+The smart way
+==============
+
+Let's apply the steps of wrapping Fortran functions to Python one by
+one.
+
+* First, we create a signature file from ``fib1.f`` by running
+
+ ::
+
+ f2py fib1.f -m fib2 -h fib1.pyf
+
+ The signature file is saved to ``fib1.pyf`` (see ``-h`` flag) and
+ its contents is shown below.
+
+ .. include:: fib1.pyf
+ :literal:
+
+* Next, we'll teach F2PY that the argument ``n`` is a input argument
+ (use ``intent(in)`` attribute) and that the result, i.e. the
+ contents of ``a`` after calling Fortran function ``FIB``, should be
+ returned to Python (use ``intent(out)`` attribute). In addition, an
+ array ``a`` should be created dynamically using the size given by
+ the input argument ``n`` (use ``depend(n)`` attribute to indicate
+ dependence relation).
+
+ The content of a modified version of ``fib1.pyf`` (saved as
+ ``fib2.pyf``) is as follows:
+
+ .. include:: fib2.pyf
+ :literal:
+
+* And finally, we build the extension module by running
+
+ ::
+
+ f2py -c fib2.pyf fib1.f
+
+In Python::
+
+ >>> import fib2
+ >>> print fib2.fib.__doc__
+ fib - Function signature:
+ a = fib(n)
+ Required arguments:
+ n : input int
+ Return objects:
+ a : rank-1 array('d') with bounds (n)
+
+ >>> print fib2.fib(8)
+ [ 0. 1. 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. 13.]
+
+.. note::
+
+ * Clearly, the signature of ``fib2.fib`` now corresponds to the
+ intention of Fortran subroutine ``FIB`` more closely: given the
+ number ``n``, ``fib2.fib`` returns the first ``n`` Fibonacci numbers
+ as a Numeric array. Also, the new Python signature ``fib2.fib``
+ rules out any surprises that we experienced with ``fib1.fib``.
+
+ * Note that by default using single ``intent(out)`` also implies
+ ``intent(hide)``. Argument that has ``intent(hide)`` attribute
+ specified, will not be listed in the argument list of a wrapper
+ function.
+
+The quick and smart way
+========================
+
+The "smart way" of wrapping Fortran functions, as explained above, is
+suitable for wrapping (e.g. third party) Fortran codes for which
+modifications to their source codes are not desirable nor even
+possible.
+
+However, if editing Fortran codes is acceptable, then the generation
+of an intermediate signature file can be skipped in most
+cases. Namely, F2PY specific attributes can be inserted directly to
+Fortran source codes using the so-called F2PY directive. A F2PY
+directive defines special comment lines (starting with ``Cf2py``, for
+example) which are ignored by Fortran compilers but F2PY interprets
+them as normal lines.
+
+Here is shown a `modified version of the example Fortran code`__, saved
+as ``fib3.f``:
+
+.. include:: fib3.f
+ :literal:
+
+__ fib3.f
+
+Building the extension module can be now carried out in one command::
+
+ f2py -c -m fib3 fib3.f
+
+Notice that the resulting wrapper to ``FIB`` is as "smart" as in
+previous case::
+
+ >>> import fib3
+ >>> print fib3.fib.__doc__
+ fib - Function signature:
+ a = fib(n)
+ Required arguments:
+ n : input int
+ Return objects:
+ a : rank-1 array('d') with bounds (n)
+
+ >>> print fib3.fib(8)
+ [ 0. 1. 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. 13.]
diff --git a/doc/source/f2py/index.rst b/doc/source/f2py/index.rst
index 65c0d00d8..b4dd73d32 100644
--- a/doc/source/f2py/index.rst
+++ b/doc/source/f2py/index.rst
@@ -28,1732 +28,16 @@ Python C/API extension modules that make it possible
from Python. See F2PY_ web site for more information and installation
instructions.
-======================================
- Three ways to wrap - getting started
-======================================
+.. toctree::
+ :maxdepth: 2
-Wrapping Fortran or C functions to Python using F2PY consists of the
-following steps:
+ getting-started
+ signature-file
+ python-usage
+ usage
+ distutils
+ advanced
-* Creating the so-called signature file that contains descriptions of
- wrappers to Fortran or C functions, also called as signatures of the
- functions. In the case of Fortran routines, F2PY can create initial
- signature file by scanning Fortran source codes and
- catching all relevant information needed to create wrapper
- functions.
-
-* Optionally, F2PY created signature files can be edited to optimize
- wrappers functions, make them "smarter" and more "Pythonic".
-
-* F2PY reads a signature file and writes a Python C/API module containing
- Fortran/C/Python bindings.
-
-* F2PY compiles all sources and builds an extension module containing
- the wrappers. In building extension modules, F2PY uses
- ``numpy_distutils`` that supports a number of Fortran 77/90/95
- compilers, including Gnu, Intel,
- Sun Fortre, SGI MIPSpro, Absoft, NAG, Compaq etc. compilers.
-
-Depending on a particular situation, these steps can be carried out
-either by just in one command or step-by-step, some steps can be
-ommited or combined with others.
-
-Below I'll describe three typical approaches of using F2PY.
-The following `example Fortran 77 code`__ will be used for
-illustration:
-
-.. include:: fib1.f
- :literal:
-
-__ fib1.f
-
-The quick way
-==============
-
-The quickest way to wrap the Fortran subroutine ``FIB`` to Python is
-to run
-
-::
-
- f2py -c fib1.f -m fib1
-
-This command builds (see ``-c`` flag, execute ``f2py`` without
-arguments to see the explanation of command line options) an extension
-module ``fib1.so`` (see ``-m`` flag) to the current directory. Now, in
-Python the Fortran subroutine ``FIB`` is accessible via ``fib1.fib``::
-
- >>> import Numeric
- >>> import fib1
- >>> print fib1.fib.__doc__
- fib - Function signature:
- fib(a,[n])
- Required arguments:
- a : input rank-1 array('d') with bounds (n)
- Optional arguments:
- n := len(a) input int
-
- >>> a=Numeric.zeros(8,'d')
- >>> fib1.fib(a)
- >>> print a
- [ 0. 1. 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. 13.]
-
-.. topic:: Comments
-
- * Note that F2PY found that the second argument ``n`` is the
- dimension of the first array argument ``a``. Since by default all
- arguments are input-only arguments, F2PY concludes that ``n`` can
- be optional with the default value ``len(a)``.
-
- * One can use different values for optional ``n``::
-
- >>> a1=Numeric.zeros(8,'d')
- >>> fib1.fib(a1,6)
- >>> print a1
- [ 0. 1. 1. 2. 3. 5. 0. 0.]
-
- but an exception is raised when it is incompatible with the input
- array ``a``::
-
- >>> fib1.fib(a,10)
- fib:n=10
- Traceback (most recent call last):
- File "<stdin>", line 1, in ?
- fib.error: (len(a)>=n) failed for 1st keyword n
- >>>
-
- This demonstrates one of the useful features in F2PY, that it,
- F2PY implements basic compatibility checks between related
- arguments in order to avoid any unexpected crashes.
-
- * When a Numeric array, that is Fortran contiguous and has a typecode
- corresponding to presumed Fortran type, is used as an input array
- argument, then its C pointer is directly passed to Fortran.
-
- Otherwise F2PY makes a contiguous copy (with a proper typecode) of
- the input array and passes C pointer of the copy to Fortran
- subroutine. As a result, any possible changes to the (copy of)
- input array have no effect to the original argument, as
- demonstrated below::
-
- >>> a=Numeric.ones(8,'i')
- >>> fib1.fib(a)
- >>> print a
- [1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1]
-
- Clearly, this is not an expected behaviour. The fact that the
- above example worked with ``typecode='d'`` is considered
- accidental.
-
- F2PY provides ``intent(inplace)`` attribute that would modify
- the attributes of an input array so that any changes made by
- Fortran routine will be effective also in input argument. For example,
- if one specifies ``intent(inplace) a`` (see below, how), then
- the example above would read:
-
- >>> a=Numeric.ones(8,'i')
- >>> fib1.fib(a)
- >>> print a
- [ 0. 1. 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. 13.]
-
- However, the recommended way to get changes made by Fortran
- subroutine back to python is to use ``intent(out)`` attribute. It
- is more efficient and a cleaner solution.
-
- * The usage of ``fib1.fib`` in Python is very similar to using
- ``FIB`` in Fortran. However, using *in situ* output arguments in
- Python indicates a poor style as there is no safety mechanism
- in Python with respect to wrong argument types. When using Fortran
- or C, compilers naturally discover any type mismatches during
- compile time but in Python the types must be checked in
- runtime. So, using *in situ* output arguments in Python may cause
- difficult to find bugs, not to mention that the codes will be less
- readable when all required type checks are implemented.
-
- Though the demonstrated way of wrapping Fortran routines to Python
- is very straightforward, it has several drawbacks (see the comments
- above). These drawbacks are due to the fact that there is no way
- that F2PY can determine what is the acctual intention of one or the
- other argument, is it input or output argument, or both, or
- something else. So, F2PY conservatively assumes that all arguments
- are input arguments by default.
-
- However, there are ways (see below) how to "teach" F2PY about the
- true intentions (among other things) of function arguments; and then
- F2PY is able to generate more Pythonic (more explicit, easier to
- use, and less error prone) wrappers to Fortran functions.
-
-The smart way
-==============
-
-Let's apply the steps of wrapping Fortran functions to Python one by
-one.
-
-* First, we create a signature file from ``fib1.f`` by running
-
- ::
-
- f2py fib1.f -m fib2 -h fib1.pyf
-
- The signature file is saved to ``fib1.pyf`` (see ``-h`` flag) and
- its contents is shown below.
-
- .. include:: fib1.pyf
- :literal:
-
-* Next, we'll teach F2PY that the argument ``n`` is a input argument
- (use ``intent(in)`` attribute) and that the result, i.e. the
- contents of ``a`` after calling Fortran function ``FIB``, should be
- returned to Python (use ``intent(out)`` attribute). In addition, an
- array ``a`` should be created dynamically using the size given by
- the input argument ``n`` (use ``depend(n)`` attribute to indicate
- dependence relation).
-
- The content of a modified version of ``fib1.pyf`` (saved as
- ``fib2.pyf``) is as follows:
-
- .. include:: fib2.pyf
- :literal:
-
-* And finally, we build the extension module by running
-
- ::
-
- f2py -c fib2.pyf fib1.f
-
-In Python::
-
- >>> import fib2
- >>> print fib2.fib.__doc__
- fib - Function signature:
- a = fib(n)
- Required arguments:
- n : input int
- Return objects:
- a : rank-1 array('d') with bounds (n)
-
- >>> print fib2.fib(8)
- [ 0. 1. 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. 13.]
-
-.. topic:: Comments
-
- * Clearly, the signature of ``fib2.fib`` now corresponds to the
- intention of Fortran subroutine ``FIB`` more closely: given the
- number ``n``, ``fib2.fib`` returns the first ``n`` Fibonacci numbers
- as a Numeric array. Also, the new Python signature ``fib2.fib``
- rules out any surprises that we experienced with ``fib1.fib``.
-
- * Note that by default using single ``intent(out)`` also implies
- ``intent(hide)``. Argument that has ``intent(hide)`` attribute
- specified, will not be listed in the argument list of a wrapper
- function.
-
-The quick and smart way
-========================
-
-The "smart way" of wrapping Fortran functions, as explained above, is
-suitable for wrapping (e.g. third party) Fortran codes for which
-modifications to their source codes are not desirable nor even
-possible.
-
-However, if editing Fortran codes is acceptable, then the generation
-of an intermediate signature file can be skipped in most
-cases. Namely, F2PY specific attributes can be inserted directly to
-Fortran source codes using the so-called F2PY directive. A F2PY
-directive defines special comment lines (starting with ``Cf2py``, for
-example) which are ignored by Fortran compilers but F2PY interprets
-them as normal lines.
-
-Here is shown a `modified version of the example Fortran code`__, saved
-as ``fib3.f``:
-
-.. include:: fib3.f
- :literal:
-
-__ fib3.f
-
-Building the extension module can be now carried out in one command::
-
- f2py -c -m fib3 fib3.f
-
-Notice that the resulting wrapper to ``FIB`` is as "smart" as in
-previous case::
-
- >>> import fib3
- >>> print fib3.fib.__doc__
- fib - Function signature:
- a = fib(n)
- Required arguments:
- n : input int
- Return objects:
- a : rank-1 array('d') with bounds (n)
-
- >>> print fib3.fib(8)
- [ 0. 1. 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. 13.]
-
-
-==================
- Signature file
-==================
-
-The syntax specification for signature files (.pyf files) is borrowed
-from the Fortran 90/95 language specification. Almost all Fortran
-90/95 standard constructs are understood, both in free and fixed
-format (recall that Fortran 77 is a subset of Fortran 90/95). F2PY
-introduces also some extensions to Fortran 90/95 language
-specification that help designing Fortran to Python interface, make it
-more "Pythonic".
-
-Signature files may contain arbitrary Fortran code (so that Fortran
-codes can be considered as signature files). F2PY silently ignores
-Fortran constructs that are irrelevant for creating the interface.
-However, this includes also syntax errors. So, be careful not making
-ones;-).
-
-In general, the contents of signature files is case-sensitive. When
-scanning Fortran codes and writing a signature file, F2PY lowers all
-cases automatically except in multi-line blocks or when ``--no-lower``
-option is used.
-
-The syntax of signature files is overvied below.
-
-Python module block
-=====================
-
-A signature file may contain one (recommended) or more ``python
-module`` blocks. ``python module`` block describes the contents of
-a Python/C extension module ``<modulename>module.c`` that F2PY
-generates.
-
-Exception: if ``<modulename>`` contains a substring ``__user__``, then
-the corresponding ``python module`` block describes the signatures of
-so-called call-back functions (see `Call-back arguments`_).
-
-A ``python module`` block has the following structure::
-
- python module <modulename>
- [<usercode statement>]...
- [
- interface
- <usercode statement>
- <Fortran block data signatures>
- <Fortran/C routine signatures>
- end [interface]
- ]...
- [
- interface
- module <F90 modulename>
- [<F90 module data type declarations>]
- [<F90 module routine signatures>]
- end [module [<F90 modulename>]]
- end [interface]
- ]...
- end [python module [<modulename>]]
-
-Here brackets ``[]`` indicate a optional part, dots ``...`` indicate
-one or more of a previous part. So, ``[]...`` reads zero or more of a
-previous part.
-
-
-Fortran/C routine signatures
-=============================
-
-The signature of a Fortran routine has the following structure::
-
- [<typespec>] function | subroutine <routine name> \
- [ ( [<arguments>] ) ] [ result ( <entityname> ) ]
- [<argument/variable type declarations>]
- [<argument/variable attribute statements>]
- [<use statements>]
- [<common block statements>]
- [<other statements>]
- end [ function | subroutine [<routine name>] ]
-
-From a Fortran routine signature F2PY generates a Python/C extension
-function that has the following signature::
-
- def <routine name>(<required arguments>[,<optional arguments>]):
- ...
- return <return variables>
-
-The signature of a Fortran block data has the following structure::
-
- block data [ <block data name> ]
- [<variable type declarations>]
- [<variable attribute statements>]
- [<use statements>]
- [<common block statements>]
- [<include statements>]
- end [ block data [<block data name>] ]
-
-Type declarations
------------------
-
-The definition of the ``<argument/variable type declaration>`` part
-is
-
-::
-
- <typespec> [ [<attrspec>] :: ] <entitydecl>
-
-where
-
-::
-
- <typespec> := byte | character [<charselector>]
- | complex [<kindselector>] | real [<kindselector>]
- | double complex | double precision
- | integer [<kindselector>] | logical [<kindselector>]
-
- <charselector> := * <charlen>
- | ( [len=] <len> [ , [kind=] <kind>] )
- | ( kind= <kind> [ , len= <len> ] )
- <kindselector> := * <intlen> | ( [kind=] <kind> )
-
- <entitydecl> := <name> [ [ * <charlen> ] [ ( <arrayspec> ) ]
- | [ ( <arrayspec> ) ] * <charlen> ]
- | [ / <init_expr> / | = <init_expr> ] \
- [ , <entitydecl> ]
-
-and
-
-+ ``<attrspec>`` is a comma separated list of attributes_;
-
-+ ``<arrayspec>`` is a comma separated list of dimension bounds;
-
-+ ``<init_expr>`` is a `C expression`__.
-
-+ ``<intlen>`` may be negative integer for ``integer`` type
- specifications. In such cases ``integer*<negintlen>`` represents
- unsigned C integers.
-
-__ `C expressions`_
-
-If an argument has no ``<argument type declaration>``, its type is
-determined by applying ``implicit`` rules to its name.
-
-
-Statements
-----------
-
-Attribute statements:
- The ``<argument/variable attribute statement>`` is
- ``<argument/variable type declaration>`` without ``<typespec>``.
- In addition, in an attribute statement one cannot use other
- attributes, also ``<entitydecl>`` can be only a list of names.
-
-Use statements:
- The definition of the ``<use statement>`` part is
-
- ::
-
- use <modulename> [ , <rename_list> | , ONLY : <only_list> ]
-
- where
-
- ::
-
- <rename_list> := <local_name> => <use_name> [ , <rename_list> ]
-
- Currently F2PY uses ``use`` statement only for linking call-back
- modules and ``external`` arguments (call-back functions), see
- `Call-back arguments`_.
-
-Common block statements:
- The definition of the ``<common block statement>`` part is
-
- ::
-
- common / <common name> / <shortentitydecl>
-
- where
-
- ::
-
- <shortentitydecl> := <name> [ ( <arrayspec> ) ] [ , <shortentitydecl> ]
-
- One ``python module`` block should not contain two or more
- ``common`` blocks with the same name. Otherwise, the latter ones are
- ignored. The types of variables in ``<shortentitydecl>`` are defined
- using ``<argument type declarations>``. Note that the corresponding
- ``<argument type declarations>`` may contain array specifications;
- then you don't need to specify these in ``<shortentitydecl>``.
-
-Other statements:
- The ``<other statement>`` part refers to any other Fortran language
- constructs that are not described above. F2PY ignores most of them
- except
-
- + ``call`` statements and function calls of ``external`` arguments
- (`more details`__?);
-
- __ external_
-
- + ``include`` statements
-
- ::
-
- include '<filename>'
- include "<filename>"
-
- If a file ``<filename>`` does not exist, the ``include``
- statement is ignored. Otherwise, the file ``<filename>`` is
- included to a signature file. ``include`` statements can be used
- in any part of a signature file, also outside the Fortran/C
- routine signature blocks.
-
- + ``implicit`` statements
-
- ::
-
- implicit none
- implicit <list of implicit maps>
-
- where
-
- ::
-
- <implicit map> := <typespec> ( <list of letters or range of letters> )
-
- Implicit rules are used to deterimine the type specification of
- a variable (from the first-letter of its name) if the variable
- is not defined using ``<variable type declaration>``. Default
- implicit rule is given by
-
- ::
-
- implicit real (a-h,o-z,$_), integer (i-m)
-
- + ``entry`` statements
-
- ::
-
- entry <entry name> [([<arguments>])]
-
- F2PY generates wrappers to all entry names using the signature
- of the routine block.
-
- Tip: ``entry`` statement can be used to describe the signature
- of an arbitrary routine allowing F2PY to generate a number of
- wrappers from only one routine block signature. There are few
- restrictions while doing this: ``fortranname`` cannot be used,
- ``callstatement`` and ``callprotoargument`` can be used only if
- they are valid for all entry routines, etc.
-
- In addition, F2PY introduces the following statements:
-
- + ``threadsafe``
- Use ``Py_BEGIN_ALLOW_THREADS .. Py_END_ALLOW_THREADS`` block
- around the call to Fortran/C function.
-
- + ``callstatement <C-expr|multi-line block>``
- Replace F2PY generated call statement to Fortran/C function with
- ``<C-expr|multi-line block>``. The wrapped Fortran/C function
- is available as ``(*f2py_func)``. To raise an exception, set
- ``f2py_success = 0`` in ``<C-expr|multi-line block>``.
-
- + ``callprotoargument <C-typespecs>``
- When ``callstatement`` statement is used then F2PY may not
- generate proper prototypes for Fortran/C functions (because
- ``<C-expr>`` may contain any function calls and F2PY has no way
- to determine what should be the proper prototype). With this
- statement you can explicitely specify the arguments of the
- corresponding prototype::
-
- extern <return type> FUNC_F(<routine name>,<ROUTINE NAME>)(<callprotoargument>);
-
- + ``fortranname [<acctual Fortran/C routine name>]``
- You can use arbitrary ``<routine name>`` for a given Fortran/C
- function. Then you have to specify
- ``<acctual Fortran/C routine name>`` with this statement.
-
- If ``fortranname`` statement is used without
- ``<acctual Fortran/C routine name>`` then a dummy wrapper is
- generated.
-
- + ``usercode <multi-line block>``
- When used inside ``python module`` block, then given C code
- will be inserted to generated C/API source just before
- wrapper function definitions. Here you can define arbitrary
- C functions to be used in initialization of optional arguments,
- for example. If ``usercode`` is used twise inside ``python
- module`` block then the second multi-line block is inserted
- after the definition of external routines.
-
- When used inside ``<routine singature>``, then given C code will
- be inserted to the corresponding wrapper function just after
- declaring variables but before any C statements. So, ``usercode``
- follow-up can contain both declarations and C statements.
-
- When used inside the first ``interface`` block, then given C
- code will be inserted at the end of the initialization
- function of the extension module. Here you can modify extension
- modules dictionary. For example, for defining additional
- variables etc.
-
- + ``pymethoddef <multi-line block>``
- Multiline block will be inserted to the definition of
- module methods ``PyMethodDef``-array. It must be a
- comma-separated list of C arrays (see `Extending and Embedding`__
- Python documentation for details).
- ``pymethoddef`` statement can be used only inside
- ``python module`` block.
-
- __ http://www.python.org/doc/current/ext/ext.html
-
-Attributes
-------------
-
-The following attributes are used by F2PY:
-
-``optional``
- The corresponding argument is moved to the end of ``<optional
- arguments>`` list. A default value for an optional argument can be
- specified ``<init_expr>``, see ``entitydecl`` definition. Note that
- the default value must be given as a valid C expression.
-
- Note that whenever ``<init_expr>`` is used, ``optional`` attribute
- is set automatically by F2PY.
-
- For an optional array argument, all its dimensions must be bounded.
-
-``required``
- The corresponding argument is considered as a required one. This is
- default. You need to specify ``required`` only if there is a need to
- disable automatic ``optional`` setting when ``<init_expr>`` is used.
-
- If Python ``None`` object is used as an required argument, the
- argument is treated as optional. That is, in the case of array
- argument, the memory is allocated. And if ``<init_expr>`` is given,
- the corresponding initialization is carried out.
-
-``dimension(<arrayspec>)``
- The corresponding variable is considered as an array with given
- dimensions in ``<arrayspec>``.
-
-``intent(<intentspec>)``
- This specifies the "intention" of the corresponding
- argument. ``<intentspec>`` is a comma separated list of the
- following keys:
-
- + ``in``
- The argument is considered as an input-only argument. It means
- that the value of the argument is passed to Fortran/C function and
- that function is expected not to change the value of an argument.
-
- + ``inout``
- The argument is considered as an input/output or *in situ*
- output argument. ``intent(inout)`` arguments can be only
- "contiguous" Numeric arrays with proper type and size. Here
- "contiguous" can be either in Fortran or C sense. The latter one
- coincides with the contiguous concept used in Numeric and is
- effective only if ``intent(c)`` is used. Fortran-contiguousness
- is assumed by default.
-
- Using ``intent(inout)`` is generally not recommended, use
- ``intent(in,out)`` instead. See also ``intent(inplace)`` attribute.
-
- + ``inplace``
- The argument is considered as an input/output or *in situ*
- output argument. ``intent(inplace)`` arguments must be
- Numeric arrays with proper size. If the type of an array is
- not "proper" or the array is non-contiguous then the array
- will be changed in-place to fix the type and make it contiguous.
-
- Using ``intent(inplace)`` is generally not recommended either.
- For example, when slices have been taken from an
- ``intent(inplace)`` argument then after in-place changes,
- slices data pointers may point to unallocated memory area.
-
- + ``out``
- The argument is considered as an return variable. It is appended
- to the ``<returned variables>`` list. Using ``intent(out)``
- sets ``intent(hide)`` automatically, unless also
- ``intent(in)`` or ``intent(inout)`` were used.
-
- By default, returned multidimensional arrays are
- Fortran-contiguous. If ``intent(c)`` is used, then returned
- multi-dimensional arrays are C-contiguous.
-
- + ``hide``
- The argument is removed from the list of required or optional
- arguments. Typically ``intent(hide)`` is used with ``intent(out)``
- or when ``<init_expr>`` completely determines the value of the
- argument like in the following example::
-
- integer intent(hide),depend(a) :: n = len(a)
- real intent(in),dimension(n) :: a
-
- + ``c``
- The argument is treated as a C scalar or C array argument. In
- the case of a scalar argument, its value is passed to C function
- as a C scalar argument (recall that Fortran scalar arguments are
- actually C pointer arguments). In the case of an array
- argument, the wrapper function is assumed to treat
- multi-dimensional arrays as C-contiguous arrays.
-
- There is no need to use ``intent(c)`` for one-dimensional
- arrays, no matter if the wrapped function is either a Fortran or
- a C function. This is because the concepts of Fortran- and
- C-contiguousness overlap in one-dimensional cases.
-
- If ``intent(c)`` is used as an statement but without entity
- declaration list, then F2PY adds ``intent(c)`` attibute to all
- arguments.
-
- Also, when wrapping C functions, one must use ``intent(c)``
- attribute for ``<routine name>`` in order to disable Fortran
- specific ``F_FUNC(..,..)`` macros.
-
- + ``cache``
- The argument is treated as a junk of memory. No Fortran nor C
- contiguousness checks are carried out. Using ``intent(cache)``
- makes sense only for array arguments, also in connection with
- ``intent(hide)`` or ``optional`` attributes.
-
- + ``copy``
- Ensure that the original contents of ``intent(in)`` argument is
- preserved. Typically used in connection with ``intent(in,out)``
- attribute. F2PY creates an optional argument
- ``overwrite_<argument name>`` with the default value ``0``.
-
- + ``overwrite``
- The original contents of the ``intent(in)`` argument may be
- altered by the Fortran/C function. F2PY creates an optional
- argument ``overwrite_<argument name>`` with the default value
- ``1``.
-
- + ``out=<new name>``
- Replace the return name with ``<new name>`` in the ``__doc__``
- string of a wrapper function.
-
- + ``callback``
- Construct an external function suitable for calling Python function
- from Fortran. ``intent(callback)`` must be specified before the
- corresponding ``external`` statement. If 'argument' is not in
- argument list then it will be added to Python wrapper but only
- initializing external function.
-
- Use ``intent(callback)`` in situations where a Fortran/C code
- assumes that a user implements a function with given prototype
- and links it to an executable. Don't use ``intent(callback)``
- if function appears in the argument list of a Fortran routine.
-
- With ``intent(hide)`` or ``optional`` attributes specified and
- using a wrapper function without specifying the callback argument
- in argument list then call-back function is looked in the
- namespace of F2PY generated extension module where it can be
- set as a module attribute by a user.
-
- + ``aux``
- Define auxiliary C variable in F2PY generated wrapper function.
- Useful to save parameter values so that they can be accessed
- in initialization expression of other variables. Note that
- ``intent(aux)`` silently implies ``intent(c)``.
-
- The following rules apply:
-
- + If no ``intent(in | inout | out | hide)`` is specified,
- ``intent(in)`` is assumed.
- + ``intent(in,inout)`` is ``intent(in)``.
- + ``intent(in,hide)`` or ``intent(inout,hide)`` is
- ``intent(hide)``.
- + ``intent(out)`` is ``intent(out,hide)`` unless ``intent(in)`` or
- ``intent(inout)`` is specified.
- + If ``intent(copy)`` or ``intent(overwrite)`` is used, then an
- additional optional argument is introduced with a name
- ``overwrite_<argument name>`` and a default value 0 or 1, respectively.
- + ``intent(inout,inplace)`` is ``intent(inplace)``.
- + ``intent(in,inplace)`` is ``intent(inplace)``.
- + ``intent(hide)`` disables ``optional`` and ``required``.
-
-``check([<C-booleanexpr>])``
- Perform consistency check of arguments by evaluating
- ``<C-booleanexpr>``; if ``<C-booleanexpr>`` returns 0, an exception
- is raised.
-
- If ``check(..)`` is not used then F2PY generates few standard checks
- (e.g. in a case of an array argument, check for the proper shape
- and size) automatically. Use ``check()`` to disable checks generated
- by F2PY.
-
-``depend([<names>])``
- This declares that the corresponding argument depends on the values
- of variables in the list ``<names>``. For example, ``<init_expr>``
- may use the values of other arguments. Using information given by
- ``depend(..)`` attributes, F2PY ensures that arguments are
- initialized in a proper order. If ``depend(..)`` attribute is not
- used then F2PY determines dependence relations automatically. Use
- ``depend()`` to disable dependence relations generated by F2PY.
-
- When you edit dependence relations that were initially generated by
- F2PY, be careful not to break the dependence relations of other
- relevant variables. Another thing to watch out is cyclic
- dependencies. F2PY is able to detect cyclic dependencies
- when constructing wrappers and it complains if any are found.
-
-``allocatable``
- The corresponding variable is Fortran 90 allocatable array defined
- as Fortran 90 module data.
-
-.. _external:
-
-``external``
- The corresponding argument is a function provided by user. The
- signature of this so-called call-back function can be defined
-
- - in ``__user__`` module block,
- - or by demonstrative (or real, if the signature file is a real Fortran
- code) call in the ``<other statements>`` block.
-
- For example, F2PY generates from
-
- ::
-
- external cb_sub, cb_fun
- integer n
- real a(n),r
- call cb_sub(a,n)
- r = cb_fun(4)
-
- the following call-back signatures::
-
- subroutine cb_sub(a,n)
- real dimension(n) :: a
- integer optional,check(len(a)>=n),depend(a) :: n=len(a)
- end subroutine cb_sub
- function cb_fun(e_4_e) result (r)
- integer :: e_4_e
- real :: r
- end function cb_fun
-
- The corresponding user-provided Python function are then::
-
- def cb_sub(a,[n]):
- ...
- return
- def cb_fun(e_4_e):
- ...
- return r
-
- See also ``intent(callback)`` attribute.
-
-``parameter``
- The corresponding variable is a parameter and it must have a fixed
- value. F2PY replaces all parameter occurrences by their
- corresponding values.
-
-Extensions
-============
-
-F2PY directives
------------------
-
-The so-called F2PY directives allow using F2PY signature file
-constructs also in Fortran 77/90 source codes. With this feature you
-can skip (almost) completely intermediate signature file generations
-and apply F2PY directly to Fortran source codes.
-
-F2PY directive has the following form::
-
- <comment char>f2py ...
-
-where allowed comment characters for fixed and free format Fortran
-codes are ``cC*!#`` and ``!``, respectively. Everything that follows
-``<comment char>f2py`` is ignored by a compiler but read by F2PY as a
-normal Fortran (non-comment) line:
-
- When F2PY finds a line with F2PY directive, the directive is first
- replaced by 5 spaces and then the line is reread.
-
-For fixed format Fortran codes, ``<comment char>`` must be at the
-first column of a file, of course. For free format Fortran codes,
-F2PY directives can appear anywhere in a file.
-
-C expressions
---------------
-
-C expressions are used in the following parts of signature files:
-
-* ``<init_expr>`` of variable initialization;
-* ``<C-booleanexpr>`` of the ``check`` attribute;
-* ``<arrayspec> of the ``dimension`` attribute;
-* ``callstatement`` statement, here also a C multi-line block can be used.
-
-A C expression may contain:
-
-* standard C constructs;
-* functions from ``math.h`` and ``Python.h``;
-* variables from the argument list, presumably initialized before
- according to given dependence relations;
-* the following CPP macros:
-
- ``rank(<name>)``
- Returns the rank of an array ``<name>``.
- ``shape(<name>,<n>)``
- Returns the ``<n>``-th dimension of an array ``<name>``.
- ``len(<name>)``
- Returns the lenght of an array ``<name>``.
- ``size(<name>)``
- Returns the size of an array ``<name>``.
- ``slen(<name>)``
- Returns the length of a string ``<name>``.
-
-For initializing an array ``<array name>``, F2PY generates a loop over
-all indices and dimensions that executes the following
-pseudo-statement::
-
- <array name>(_i[0],_i[1],...) = <init_expr>;
-
-where ``_i[<i>]`` refers to the ``<i>``-th index value and that runs
-from ``0`` to ``shape(<array name>,<i>)-1``.
-
-For example, a function ``myrange(n)`` generated from the following
-signature
-
-::
-
- subroutine myrange(a,n)
- fortranname ! myrange is a dummy wrapper
- integer intent(in) :: n
- real*8 intent(c,out),dimension(n),depend(n) :: a = _i[0]
- end subroutine myrange
-
-is equivalent to ``Numeric.arange(n,typecode='d')``.
-
-.. topic:: Warning!
-
- F2PY may lower cases also in C expressions when scanning Fortran codes
- (see ``--[no]-lower`` option).
-
-Multi-line blocks
-------------------
-
-A multi-line block starts with ``'''`` (triple single-quotes) and ends
-with ``'''`` in some *strictly* subsequent line. Multi-line blocks can
-be used only within .pyf files. The contents of a multi-line block can
-be arbitrary (except that it cannot contain ``'''``) and no
-transformations (e.g. lowering cases) are applied to it.
-
-Currently, multi-line blocks can be used in the following constructs:
-
-+ as a C expression of the ``callstatement`` statement;
-
-+ as a C type specification of the ``callprotoargument`` statement;
-
-+ as a C code block of the ``usercode`` statement;
-
-+ as a list of C arrays of the ``pymethoddef`` statement;
-
-+ as documentation string.
-
-==================================
-Using F2PY bindings in Python
-==================================
-
-All wrappers (to Fortran/C routines or to common blocks or to Fortran
-90 module data) generated by F2PY are exposed to Python as ``fortran``
-type objects. Routine wrappers are callable ``fortran`` type objects
-while wrappers to Fortran data have attributes referring to data
-objects.
-
-All ``fortran`` type object have attribute ``_cpointer`` that contains
-CObject referring to the C pointer of the corresponding Fortran/C
-function or variable in C level. Such CObjects can be used as an
-callback argument of F2PY generated functions to bypass Python C/API
-layer of calling Python functions from Fortran or C when the
-computational part of such functions is implemented in C or Fortran
-and wrapped with F2PY (or any other tool capable of providing CObject
-of a function).
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider a `Fortran 77 file`__ ``ftype.f``:
-
- .. include:: ftype.f
- :literal:
-
- and build a wrapper using::
-
- f2py -c ftype.f -m ftype
-
- __ ftype.f
-
- In Python:
-
- .. include:: ftype_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-
-Scalar arguments
-=================
-
-In general, a scalar argument of a F2PY generated wrapper function can
-be ordinary Python scalar (integer, float, complex number) as well as
-an arbitrary sequence object (list, tuple, array, string) of
-scalars. In the latter case, the first element of the sequence object
-is passed to Fortran routine as a scalar argument.
-
-Note that when type-casting is required and there is possible loss of
-information (e.g. when type-casting float to integer or complex to
-float), F2PY does not raise any exception. In complex to real
-type-casting only the real part of a complex number is used.
-
-``intent(inout)`` scalar arguments are assumed to be array objects in
-order to *in situ* changes to be effective. It is recommended to use
-arrays with proper type but also other types work.
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider the following `Fortran 77 code`__:
-
- .. include:: scalar.f
- :literal:
-
- and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m scalar scalar.f``.
-
- __ scalar.f
-
- In Python:
-
- .. include:: scalar_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-
-String arguments
-=================
-
-F2PY generated wrapper functions accept (almost) any Python object as
-a string argument, ``str`` is applied for non-string objects.
-Exceptions are Numeric arrays that must have type code ``'c'`` or
-``'1'`` when used as string arguments.
-
-A string can have arbitrary length when using it as a string argument
-to F2PY generated wrapper function. If the length is greater than
-expected, the string is truncated. If the length is smaller that
-expected, additional memory is allocated and filled with ``\0``.
-
-Because Python strings are immutable, an ``intent(inout)`` argument
-expects an array version of a string in order to *in situ* changes to
-be effective.
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider the following `Fortran 77 code`__:
-
- .. include:: string.f
- :literal:
-
- and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m mystring string.f``.
-
- __ string.f
-
- Python session:
-
- .. include:: string_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-
-Array arguments
-================
-
-In general, array arguments of F2PY generated wrapper functions accept
-arbitrary sequences that can be transformed to Numeric array objects.
-An exception is ``intent(inout)`` array arguments that always must be
-proper-contiguous and have proper type, otherwise an exception is
-raised. Another exception is ``intent(inplace)`` array arguments that
-attributes will be changed in-situ if the argument has different type
-than expected (see ``intent(inplace)`` attribute for more
-information).
-
-In general, if a Numeric array is proper-contiguous and has a proper
-type then it is directly passed to wrapped Fortran/C function.
-Otherwise, an element-wise copy of an input array is made and the
-copy, being proper-contiguous and with proper type, is used as an
-array argument.
-
-There are two types of proper-contiguous Numeric arrays:
-
-* Fortran-contiguous arrays when data is stored column-wise,
- i.e. indexing of data as stored in memory starts from the lowest
- dimension;
-* C-contiguous or simply contiguous arrays when data is stored
- row-wise, i.e. indexing of data as stored in memory starts from the
- highest dimension.
-
-For one-dimensional arrays these notions coincide.
-
-For example, an 2x2 array ``A`` is Fortran-contiguous if its elements
-are stored in memory in the following order::
-
- A[0,0] A[1,0] A[0,1] A[1,1]
-
-and C-contiguous if the order is as follows::
-
- A[0,0] A[0,1] A[1,0] A[1,1]
-
-To test whether an array is C-contiguous, use ``.iscontiguous()``
-method of Numeric arrays. To test for Fortran-contiguousness, all
-F2PY generated extension modules provide a function
-``has_column_major_storage(<array>)``. This function is equivalent to
-``Numeric.transpose(<array>).iscontiguous()`` but more efficient.
-
-Usually there is no need to worry about how the arrays are stored in
-memory and whether the wrapped functions, being either Fortran or C
-functions, assume one or another storage order. F2PY automatically
-ensures that wrapped functions get arguments with proper storage
-order; the corresponding algorithm is designed to make copies of
-arrays only when absolutely necessary. However, when dealing with very
-large multi-dimensional input arrays with sizes close to the size of
-the physical memory in your computer, then a care must be taken to use
-always proper-contiguous and proper type arguments.
-
-To transform input arrays to column major storage order before passing
-them to Fortran routines, use a function
-``as_column_major_storage(<array>)`` that is provided by all F2PY
-generated extension modules.
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider `Fortran 77 code`__:
-
- .. include:: array.f
- :literal:
-
- and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m arr array.f -DF2PY_REPORT_ON_ARRAY_COPY=1``.
-
- __ array.f
-
- In Python:
-
- .. include:: array_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-Call-back arguments
-====================
-
-F2PY supports calling Python functions from Fortran or C codes.
-
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider the following `Fortran 77 code`__
-
- .. include:: callback.f
- :literal:
-
- and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m callback callback.f``.
-
- __ callback.f
-
- In Python:
-
- .. include:: callback_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-In the above example F2PY was able to guess accurately the signature
-of a call-back function. However, sometimes F2PY cannot establish the
-signature as one would wish and then the signature of a call-back
-function must be modified in the signature file manually. Namely,
-signature files may contain special modules (the names of such modules
-contain a substring ``__user__``) that collect various signatures of
-call-back functions. Callback arguments in routine signatures have
-attribute ``external`` (see also ``intent(callback)`` attribute). To
-relate a callback argument and its signature in ``__user__`` module
-block, use ``use`` statement as illustrated below. The same signature
-of a callback argument can be referred in different routine
-signatures.
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- We use the same `Fortran 77 code`__ as in previous example but now
- we'll pretend that F2PY was not able to guess the signatures of
- call-back arguments correctly. First, we create an initial signature
- file ``callback2.pyf`` using F2PY::
-
- f2py -m callback2 -h callback2.pyf callback.f
-
- Then modify it as follows
-
- .. include:: callback2.pyf
- :literal:
-
- Finally, build the extension module using::
-
- f2py -c callback2.pyf callback.f
-
- An example Python session would be identical to the previous example
- except that argument names would differ.
-
- __ callback.f
-
-Sometimes a Fortran package may require that users provide routines
-that the package will use. F2PY can construct an interface to such
-routines so that Python functions could be called from Fortran.
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider the following `Fortran 77 subroutine`__ that takes an array
- and applies a function ``func`` to its elements.
-
- .. include:: calculate.f
- :literal:
-
- __ calculate.f
-
- It is expected that function ``func`` has been defined
- externally. In order to use a Python function as ``func``, it must
- have an attribute ``intent(callback)`` (it must be specified before
- the ``external`` statement).
-
- Finally, build an extension module using::
-
- f2py -c -m foo calculate.f
-
- In Python:
-
- .. include:: calculate_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-The function is included as an argument to the python function call to
-the FORTRAN subroutine eventhough it was NOT in the FORTRAN subroutine argument
-list. The "external" refers to the C function generated by f2py, not the python
-function itself. The python function must be supplied to the C function.
-
-The callback function may also be explicitly set in the module.
-Then it is not necessary to pass the function in the argument list to
-the FORTRAN function. This may be desired if the FORTRAN function calling
-the python callback function is itself called by another FORTRAN function.
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider the following `Fortran 77 subroutine`__.
-
- .. include:: extcallback.f
- :literal:
-
- __ extcallback.f
-
- and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m pfromf extcallback.f``.
-
- In Python:
-
- .. include:: extcallback_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-Resolving arguments to call-back functions
-------------------------------------------
-
-F2PY generated interface is very flexible with respect to call-back
-arguments. For each call-back argument an additional optional
-argument ``<name>_extra_args`` is introduced by F2PY. This argument
-can be used to pass extra arguments to user provided call-back
-arguments.
-
-If a F2PY generated wrapper function expects the following call-back
-argument::
-
- def fun(a_1,...,a_n):
- ...
- return x_1,...,x_k
-
-but the following Python function
-
-::
-
- def gun(b_1,...,b_m):
- ...
- return y_1,...,y_l
-
-is provided by an user, and in addition,
-
-::
-
- fun_extra_args = (e_1,...,e_p)
-
-is used, then the following rules are applied when a Fortran or C
-function calls the call-back argument ``gun``:
-
-* If ``p==0`` then ``gun(a_1,...,a_q)`` is called, here
- ``q=min(m,n)``.
-* If ``n+p<=m`` then ``gun(a_1,...,a_n,e_1,...,e_p)`` is called.
-* If ``p<=m<n+p`` then ``gun(a_1,...,a_q,e_1,...,e_p)`` is called, here
- ``q=m-p``.
-* If ``p>m`` then ``gun(e_1,...,e_m)`` is called.
-* If ``n+p`` is less than the number of required arguments to ``gun``
- then an exception is raised.
-
-The function ``gun`` may return any number of objects as a tuple. Then
-following rules are applied:
-
-* If ``k<l``, then ``y_{k+1},...,y_l`` are ignored.
-* If ``k>l``, then only ``x_1,...,x_l`` are set.
-
-
-
-Common blocks
-==============
-
-F2PY generates wrappers to ``common`` blocks defined in a routine
-signature block. Common blocks are visible by all Fortran codes linked
-with the current extension module, but not to other extension modules
-(this restriction is due to how Python imports shared libraries). In
-Python, the F2PY wrappers to ``common`` blocks are ``fortran`` type
-objects that have (dynamic) attributes related to data members of
-common blocks. When accessed, these attributes return as Numeric array
-objects (multi-dimensional arrays are Fortran-contiguous) that
-directly link to data members in common blocks. Data members can be
-changed by direct assignment or by in-place changes to the
-corresponding array objects.
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider the following `Fortran 77 code`__
-
- .. include:: common.f
- :literal:
-
- and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m common common.f``.
-
- __ common.f
-
- In Python:
-
- .. include:: common_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-Fortran 90 module data
-=======================
-
-The F2PY interface to Fortran 90 module data is similar to Fortran 77
-common blocks.
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider the following `Fortran 90 code`__
-
- .. include:: moddata.f90
- :literal:
-
- and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m moddata moddata.f90``.
-
- __ moddata.f90
-
- In Python:
-
- .. include:: moddata_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-Allocatable arrays
--------------------
-
-F2PY has basic support for Fortran 90 module allocatable arrays.
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider the following `Fortran 90 code`__
-
- .. include:: allocarr.f90
- :literal:
-
- and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m allocarr allocarr.f90``.
-
- __ allocarr.f90
-
- In Python:
-
- .. include:: allocarr_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-
-===========
-Using F2PY
-===========
-
-F2PY can be used either as a command line tool ``f2py`` or as a Python
-module ``f2py2e``.
-
-Command ``f2py``
-=================
-
-When used as a command line tool, ``f2py`` has three major modes,
-distinguished by the usage of ``-c`` and ``-h`` switches:
-
-1. To scan Fortran sources and generate a signature file, use
-
- ::
-
- f2py -h <filename.pyf> <options> <fortran files> \
- [[ only: <fortran functions> : ] \
- [ skip: <fortran functions> : ]]... \
- [<fortran files> ...]
-
- Note that a Fortran source file can contain many routines, and not
- necessarily all routines are needed to be used from Python. So, you
- can either specify which routines should be wrapped (in ``only: .. :``
- part) or which routines F2PY should ignored (in ``skip: .. :`` part).
-
- If ``<filename.pyf>`` is specified as ``stdout`` then signatures
- are send to standard output instead of a file.
-
- Among other options (see below), the following options can be used
- in this mode:
-
- ``--overwrite-signature``
- Overwrite existing signature file.
-
-2. To construct an extension module, use
-
- ::
-
- f2py <options> <fortran files> \
- [[ only: <fortran functions> : ] \
- [ skip: <fortran functions> : ]]... \
- [<fortran files> ...]
-
- The constructed extension module is saved as
- ``<modulename>module.c`` to the current directory.
-
- Here ``<fortran files>`` may also contain signature files.
- Among other options (see below), the following options can be used
- in this mode:
-
- ``--debug-capi``
- Add debugging hooks to the extension module. When using this
- extension module, various information about the wrapper is printed
- to standard output, for example, the values of variables, the
- steps taken, etc.
-
- ``-include'<includefile>'``
- Add a CPP ``#include`` statement to the extension module source.
- ``<includefile>`` should be given in one of the following forms::
-
- "filename.ext"
- <filename.ext>
-
- The include statement is inserted just before the wrapper
- functions. This feature enables using arbitrary C functions
- (defined in ``<includefile>``) in F2PY generated wrappers.
-
- This option is deprecated. Use ``usercode`` statement to specify
- C codelets directly in signature filess
-
- ``--[no-]wrap-functions``
-
- Create Fortran subroutine wrappers to Fortran functions.
- ``--wrap-functions`` is default because it ensures maximum
- portability and compiler independence.
-
- ``--include-paths <path1>:<path2>:..``
- Search include files from given directories.
-
- ``--help-link [<list of resources names>]``
- List system resources found by ``numpy_distutils/system_info.py``.
- For example, try ``f2py --help-link lapack_opt``.
-
-3. To build an extension module, use
-
- ::
-
- f2py -c <options> <fortran files> \
- [[ only: <fortran functions> : ] \
- [ skip: <fortran functions> : ]]... \
- [ <fortran/c source files> ] [ <.o, .a, .so files> ]
-
- If ``<fortran files>`` contains a signature file, then a source for
- an extension module is constructed, all Fortran and C sources are
- compiled, and finally all object and library files are linked to the
- extension module ``<modulename>.so`` which is saved into the current
- directory.
-
- If ``<fortran files>`` does not contain a signature file, then an
- extension module is constructed by scanning all Fortran source codes
- for routine signatures.
-
- Among other options (see below) and options described in previous
- mode, the following options can be used in this mode:
-
- ``--help-fcompiler``
- List available Fortran compilers.
- ``--help-compiler`` [depreciated]
- List available Fortran compilers.
- ``--fcompiler=<Vendor>``
- Specify Fortran compiler type by vendor.
- ``--f77exec=<path>``
- Specify the path to F77 compiler
- ``--fcompiler-exec=<path>`` [depreciated]
- Specify the path to F77 compiler
- ``--f90exec=<path>``
- Specify the path to F90 compiler
- ``--f90compiler-exec=<path>`` [depreciated]
- Specify the path to F90 compiler
-
- ``--f77flags=<string>``
- Specify F77 compiler flags
- ``--f90flags=<string>``
- Specify F90 compiler flags
- ``--opt=<string>``
- Specify optimization flags
- ``--arch=<string>``
- Specify architecture specific optimization flags
- ``--noopt``
- Compile without optimization
- ``--noarch``
- Compile without arch-dependent optimization
- ``--debug``
- Compile with debugging information
-
- ``-l<libname>``
- Use the library ``<libname>`` when linking.
- ``-D<macro>[=<defn=1>]``
- Define macro ``<macro>`` as ``<defn>``.
- ``-U<macro>``
- Define macro ``<macro>``
- ``-I<dir>``
- Append directory ``<dir>`` to the list of directories searched for
- include files.
- ``-L<dir>``
- Add directory ``<dir>`` to the list of directories to be searched
- for ``-l``.
-
- ``link-<resource>``
-
- Link extension module with <resource> as defined by
- ``numpy_distutils/system_info.py``. E.g. to link with optimized
- LAPACK libraries (vecLib on MacOSX, ATLAS elsewhere), use
- ``--link-lapack_opt``. See also ``--help-link`` switch.
-
- When building an extension module, a combination of the following
- macros may be required for non-gcc Fortran compilers::
-
- -DPREPEND_FORTRAN
- -DNO_APPEND_FORTRAN
- -DUPPERCASE_FORTRAN
-
- To test the performance of F2PY generated interfaces, use
- ``-DF2PY_REPORT_ATEXIT``. Then a report of various timings is
- printed out at the exit of Python. This feature may not work on
- all platforms, currently only Linux platform is supported.
-
- To see whether F2PY generated interface performs copies of array
- arguments, use ``-DF2PY_REPORT_ON_ARRAY_COPY=<int>``. When the size
- of an array argument is larger than ``<int>``, a message about
- the coping is sent to ``stderr``.
-
-Other options:
-
-``-m <modulename>``
- Name of an extension module. Default is ``untitled``. Don't use this option
- if a signature file (*.pyf) is used.
-``--[no-]lower``
- Do [not] lower the cases in ``<fortran files>``. By default,
- ``--lower`` is assumed with ``-h`` switch, and ``--no-lower``
- without the ``-h`` switch.
-``--build-dir <dirname>``
- All F2PY generated files are created in ``<dirname>``. Default is
- ``tempfile.mktemp()``.
-``--quiet``
- Run quietly.
-``--verbose``
- Run with extra verbosity.
-``-v``
- Print f2py version ID and exit.
-
-Execute ``f2py`` without any options to get an up-to-date list of
-available options.
-
-Python module ``f2py2e``
-=========================
-
-.. topic:: Warning
-
- The current Python interface to ``f2py2e`` module is not mature and
- may change in future depending on users needs.
-
-The following functions are provided by the ``f2py2e`` module:
-
-``run_main(<list>)``
- Equivalent to running::
-
- f2py <args>
-
- where ``<args>=string.join(<list>,' ')``, but in Python. Unless
- ``-h`` is used, this function returns a dictionary containing
- information on generated modules and their dependencies on source
- files. For example, the command ``f2py -m scalar scalar.f`` can be
- executed from Python as follows
-
- .. include:: run_main_session.dat
- :literal:
-
- You cannot build extension modules with this function, that is,
- using ``-c`` is not allowed. Use ``compile`` command instead, see
- below.
-
-``compile(source, modulename='untitled', extra_args='', verbose=1, source_fn=None)``
- Build extension module from Fortran 77 source string ``source``.
- Return 0 if successful.
- Note that this function actually calls ``f2py -c ..`` from shell to
- ensure safety of the current Python process.
- For example,
-
- .. include:: compile_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-==========================
-Using ``numpy_distutils``
-==========================
-
-``numpy_distutils`` is part of the SciPy_ project and aims to extend
-standard Python ``distutils`` to deal with Fortran sources and F2PY
-signature files, e.g. compile Fortran sources, call F2PY to construct
-extension modules, etc.
-
-.. topic:: Example
-
- Consider the following `setup file`__:
-
- .. include:: setup_example.py
- :literal:
-
- Running
-
- ::
-
- python setup_example.py build
-
- will build two extension modules ``scalar`` and ``fib2`` to the
- build directory.
-
- __ setup_example.py
-
-``numpy_distutils`` extends ``distutils`` with the following features:
-
-* ``Extension`` class argument ``sources`` may contain Fortran source
- files. In addition, the list ``sources`` may contain at most one
- F2PY signature file, and then the name of an Extension module must
- match with the ``<modulename>`` used in signature file. It is
- assumed that an F2PY signature file contains exactly one ``python
- module`` block.
-
- If ``sources`` does not contain a signature files, then F2PY is used
- to scan Fortran source files for routine signatures to construct the
- wrappers to Fortran codes.
-
- Additional options to F2PY process can be given using ``Extension``
- class argument ``f2py_options``.
-
-``numpy_distutils`` 0.2.2 and up
-================================
-
-* The following new ``distutils`` commands are defined:
-
- ``build_src``
- to construct Fortran wrapper extension modules, among many other things.
- ``config_fc``
- to change Fortran compiler options
-
- as well as ``build_ext`` and ``build_clib`` commands are enhanced
- to support Fortran sources.
-
- Run
-
- ::
-
- python <setup.py file> config_fc build_src build_ext --help
-
- to see available options for these commands.
-
-* When building Python packages containing Fortran sources, then one
- can choose different Fortran compilers by using ``build_ext``
- command option ``--fcompiler=<Vendor>``. Here ``<Vendor>`` can be one of the
- following names::
-
- absoft sun mips intel intelv intele intelev nag compaq compaqv gnu vast pg hpux
-
- See ``numpy_distutils/fcompiler.py`` for up-to-date list of
- supported compilers or run
-
- ::
-
- f2py -c --help-fcompiler
-
-``numpy_distutils`` pre 0.2.2
-=============================
-
-* The following new ``distutils`` commands are defined:
-
- ``build_flib``
- to build f77/f90 libraries used by Python extensions;
- ``run_f2py``
- to construct Fortran wrapper extension modules.
-
- Run
-
- ::
-
- python <setup.py file> build_flib run_f2py --help
-
- to see available options for these commands.
-
-* When building Python packages containing Fortran sources, then one
- can choose different Fortran compilers either by using ``build_flib``
- command option ``--fcompiler=<Vendor>`` or by defining environment
- variable ``FC_VENDOR=<Vendor>``. Here ``<Vendor>`` can be one of the
- following names::
-
- Absoft Sun SGI Intel Itanium NAG Compaq Digital Gnu VAST PG
-
- See ``numpy_distutils/command/build_flib.py`` for up-to-date list of
- supported compilers.
-
-======================
- Extended F2PY usages
-======================
-
-Adding self-written functions to F2PY generated modules
-=======================================================
-
-Self-written Python C/API functions can be defined inside
-signature files using ``usercode`` and ``pymethoddef`` statements
-(they must be used inside the ``python module`` block). For
-example, the following signature file ``spam.pyf``
-
-.. include:: spam.pyf
- :literal:
-
-wraps the C library function ``system()``::
-
- f2py -c spam.pyf
-
-In Python:
-
-.. include:: spam_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-Modifying the dictionary of a F2PY generated module
-===================================================
-
-The following example illustrates how to add an user-defined
-variables to a F2PY generated extension module. Given the following
-signature file
-
-.. include:: var.pyf
- :literal:
-
-compile it as ``f2py -c var.pyf``.
-
-Notice that the second ``usercode`` statement must be defined inside
-an ``interface`` block and where the module dictionary is available through
-the variable ``d`` (see ``f2py var.pyf``-generated ``varmodule.c`` for
-additional details).
-
-In Python:
-
-.. include:: var_session.dat
- :literal:
-
-.. References
- ==========
.. _F2PY: http://cens.ioc.ee/projects/f2py2e/
.. _Python: http://www.python.org/
.. _NumPy: http://www.numpy.org/
diff --git a/doc/source/f2py/python-usage.rst b/doc/source/f2py/python-usage.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..24ec3f15d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/source/f2py/python-usage.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,419 @@
+==================================
+Using F2PY bindings in Python
+==================================
+
+All wrappers (to Fortran/C routines or to common blocks or to Fortran
+90 module data) generated by F2PY are exposed to Python as ``fortran``
+type objects. Routine wrappers are callable ``fortran`` type objects
+while wrappers to Fortran data have attributes referring to data
+objects.
+
+All ``fortran`` type object have attribute ``_cpointer`` that contains
+CObject referring to the C pointer of the corresponding Fortran/C
+function or variable in C level. Such CObjects can be used as an
+callback argument of F2PY generated functions to bypass Python C/API
+layer of calling Python functions from Fortran or C when the
+computational part of such functions is implemented in C or Fortran
+and wrapped with F2PY (or any other tool capable of providing CObject
+of a function).
+
+.. example::
+
+ Consider a `Fortran 77 file`__ ``ftype.f``:
+
+ .. include:: ftype.f
+ :literal:
+
+ and build a wrapper using::
+
+ f2py -c ftype.f -m ftype
+
+ __ ftype.f
+
+ In Python:
+
+ .. include:: ftype_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+
+Scalar arguments
+=================
+
+In general, a scalar argument of a F2PY generated wrapper function can
+be ordinary Python scalar (integer, float, complex number) as well as
+an arbitrary sequence object (list, tuple, array, string) of
+scalars. In the latter case, the first element of the sequence object
+is passed to Fortran routine as a scalar argument.
+
+Note that when type-casting is required and there is possible loss of
+information (e.g. when type-casting float to integer or complex to
+float), F2PY does not raise any exception. In complex to real
+type-casting only the real part of a complex number is used.
+
+``intent(inout)`` scalar arguments are assumed to be array objects in
+order to *in situ* changes to be effective. It is recommended to use
+arrays with proper type but also other types work.
+
+.. example::
+
+ Consider the following `Fortran 77 code`__:
+
+ .. include:: scalar.f
+ :literal:
+
+ and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m scalar scalar.f``.
+
+ __ scalar.f
+
+ In Python:
+
+ .. include:: scalar_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+
+String arguments
+=================
+
+F2PY generated wrapper functions accept (almost) any Python object as
+a string argument, ``str`` is applied for non-string objects.
+Exceptions are Numeric arrays that must have type code ``'c'`` or
+``'1'`` when used as string arguments.
+
+A string can have arbitrary length when using it as a string argument
+to F2PY generated wrapper function. If the length is greater than
+expected, the string is truncated. If the length is smaller that
+expected, additional memory is allocated and filled with ``\0``.
+
+Because Python strings are immutable, an ``intent(inout)`` argument
+expects an array version of a string in order to *in situ* changes to
+be effective.
+
+.. example::
+
+ Consider the following `Fortran 77 code`__:
+
+ .. include:: string.f
+ :literal:
+
+ and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m mystring string.f``.
+
+ __ string.f
+
+ Python session:
+
+ .. include:: string_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+
+Array arguments
+================
+
+In general, array arguments of F2PY generated wrapper functions accept
+arbitrary sequences that can be transformed to Numeric array objects.
+An exception is ``intent(inout)`` array arguments that always must be
+proper-contiguous and have proper type, otherwise an exception is
+raised. Another exception is ``intent(inplace)`` array arguments that
+attributes will be changed in-situ if the argument has different type
+than expected (see ``intent(inplace)`` attribute for more
+information).
+
+In general, if a Numeric array is proper-contiguous and has a proper
+type then it is directly passed to wrapped Fortran/C function.
+Otherwise, an element-wise copy of an input array is made and the
+copy, being proper-contiguous and with proper type, is used as an
+array argument.
+
+There are two types of proper-contiguous Numeric arrays:
+
+* Fortran-contiguous arrays when data is stored column-wise,
+ i.e. indexing of data as stored in memory starts from the lowest
+ dimension;
+* C-contiguous or simply contiguous arrays when data is stored
+ row-wise, i.e. indexing of data as stored in memory starts from the
+ highest dimension.
+
+For one-dimensional arrays these notions coincide.
+
+For example, an 2x2 array ``A`` is Fortran-contiguous if its elements
+are stored in memory in the following order::
+
+ A[0,0] A[1,0] A[0,1] A[1,1]
+
+and C-contiguous if the order is as follows::
+
+ A[0,0] A[0,1] A[1,0] A[1,1]
+
+To test whether an array is C-contiguous, use ``.iscontiguous()``
+method of Numeric arrays. To test for Fortran-contiguousness, all
+F2PY generated extension modules provide a function
+``has_column_major_storage(<array>)``. This function is equivalent to
+``Numeric.transpose(<array>).iscontiguous()`` but more efficient.
+
+Usually there is no need to worry about how the arrays are stored in
+memory and whether the wrapped functions, being either Fortran or C
+functions, assume one or another storage order. F2PY automatically
+ensures that wrapped functions get arguments with proper storage
+order; the corresponding algorithm is designed to make copies of
+arrays only when absolutely necessary. However, when dealing with very
+large multi-dimensional input arrays with sizes close to the size of
+the physical memory in your computer, then a care must be taken to use
+always proper-contiguous and proper type arguments.
+
+To transform input arrays to column major storage order before passing
+them to Fortran routines, use a function
+``as_column_major_storage(<array>)`` that is provided by all F2PY
+generated extension modules.
+
+.. example::
+
+ Consider `Fortran 77 code`__:
+
+ .. include:: array.f
+ :literal:
+
+ and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m arr array.f -DF2PY_REPORT_ON_ARRAY_COPY=1``.
+
+ __ array.f
+
+ In Python:
+
+ .. include:: array_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+.. _Call-back arguments:
+
+Call-back arguments
+====================
+
+F2PY supports calling Python functions from Fortran or C codes.
+
+
+.. example::
+
+ Consider the following `Fortran 77 code`__
+
+ .. include:: callback.f
+ :literal:
+
+ and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m callback callback.f``.
+
+ __ callback.f
+
+ In Python:
+
+ .. include:: callback_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+In the above example F2PY was able to guess accurately the signature
+of a call-back function. However, sometimes F2PY cannot establish the
+signature as one would wish and then the signature of a call-back
+function must be modified in the signature file manually. Namely,
+signature files may contain special modules (the names of such modules
+contain a substring ``__user__``) that collect various signatures of
+call-back functions. Callback arguments in routine signatures have
+attribute ``external`` (see also ``intent(callback)`` attribute). To
+relate a callback argument and its signature in ``__user__`` module
+block, use ``use`` statement as illustrated below. The same signature
+of a callback argument can be referred in different routine
+signatures.
+
+.. example::
+
+ We use the same `Fortran 77 code`__ as in previous example but now
+ we'll pretend that F2PY was not able to guess the signatures of
+ call-back arguments correctly. First, we create an initial signature
+ file ``callback2.pyf`` using F2PY::
+
+ f2py -m callback2 -h callback2.pyf callback.f
+
+ Then modify it as follows
+
+ .. include:: callback2.pyf
+ :literal:
+
+ Finally, build the extension module using::
+
+ f2py -c callback2.pyf callback.f
+
+ An example Python session would be identical to the previous example
+ except that argument names would differ.
+
+ __ callback.f
+
+Sometimes a Fortran package may require that users provide routines
+that the package will use. F2PY can construct an interface to such
+routines so that Python functions could be called from Fortran.
+
+.. example::
+
+ Consider the following `Fortran 77 subroutine`__ that takes an array
+ and applies a function ``func`` to its elements.
+
+ .. include:: calculate.f
+ :literal:
+
+ __ calculate.f
+
+ It is expected that function ``func`` has been defined
+ externally. In order to use a Python function as ``func``, it must
+ have an attribute ``intent(callback)`` (it must be specified before
+ the ``external`` statement).
+
+ Finally, build an extension module using::
+
+ f2py -c -m foo calculate.f
+
+ In Python:
+
+ .. include:: calculate_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+The function is included as an argument to the python function call to
+the FORTRAN subroutine eventhough it was NOT in the FORTRAN subroutine argument
+list. The "external" refers to the C function generated by f2py, not the python
+function itself. The python function must be supplied to the C function.
+
+The callback function may also be explicitly set in the module.
+Then it is not necessary to pass the function in the argument list to
+the FORTRAN function. This may be desired if the FORTRAN function calling
+the python callback function is itself called by another FORTRAN function.
+
+.. example::
+
+ Consider the following `Fortran 77 subroutine`__.
+
+ .. include:: extcallback.f
+ :literal:
+
+ __ extcallback.f
+
+ and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m pfromf extcallback.f``.
+
+ In Python:
+
+ .. include:: extcallback_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+Resolving arguments to call-back functions
+------------------------------------------
+
+F2PY generated interface is very flexible with respect to call-back
+arguments. For each call-back argument an additional optional
+argument ``<name>_extra_args`` is introduced by F2PY. This argument
+can be used to pass extra arguments to user provided call-back
+arguments.
+
+If a F2PY generated wrapper function expects the following call-back
+argument::
+
+ def fun(a_1,...,a_n):
+ ...
+ return x_1,...,x_k
+
+but the following Python function
+
+::
+
+ def gun(b_1,...,b_m):
+ ...
+ return y_1,...,y_l
+
+is provided by an user, and in addition,
+
+::
+
+ fun_extra_args = (e_1,...,e_p)
+
+is used, then the following rules are applied when a Fortran or C
+function calls the call-back argument ``gun``:
+
+* If ``p==0`` then ``gun(a_1,...,a_q)`` is called, here
+ ``q=min(m,n)``.
+* If ``n+p<=m`` then ``gun(a_1,...,a_n,e_1,...,e_p)`` is called.
+* If ``p<=m<n+p`` then ``gun(a_1,...,a_q,e_1,...,e_p)`` is called, here
+ ``q=m-p``.
+* If ``p>m`` then ``gun(e_1,...,e_m)`` is called.
+* If ``n+p`` is less than the number of required arguments to ``gun``
+ then an exception is raised.
+
+The function ``gun`` may return any number of objects as a tuple. Then
+following rules are applied:
+
+* If ``k<l``, then ``y_{k+1},...,y_l`` are ignored.
+* If ``k>l``, then only ``x_1,...,x_l`` are set.
+
+
+
+Common blocks
+==============
+
+F2PY generates wrappers to ``common`` blocks defined in a routine
+signature block. Common blocks are visible by all Fortran codes linked
+with the current extension module, but not to other extension modules
+(this restriction is due to how Python imports shared libraries). In
+Python, the F2PY wrappers to ``common`` blocks are ``fortran`` type
+objects that have (dynamic) attributes related to data members of
+common blocks. When accessed, these attributes return as Numeric array
+objects (multi-dimensional arrays are Fortran-contiguous) that
+directly link to data members in common blocks. Data members can be
+changed by direct assignment or by in-place changes to the
+corresponding array objects.
+
+.. example::
+
+ Consider the following `Fortran 77 code`__
+
+ .. include:: common.f
+ :literal:
+
+ and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m common common.f``.
+
+ __ common.f
+
+ In Python:
+
+ .. include:: common_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+Fortran 90 module data
+=======================
+
+The F2PY interface to Fortran 90 module data is similar to Fortran 77
+common blocks.
+
+.. example::
+
+ Consider the following `Fortran 90 code`__
+
+ .. include:: moddata.f90
+ :literal:
+
+ and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m moddata moddata.f90``.
+
+ __ moddata.f90
+
+ In Python:
+
+ .. include:: moddata_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+Allocatable arrays
+-------------------
+
+F2PY has basic support for Fortran 90 module allocatable arrays.
+
+.. example::
+
+ Consider the following `Fortran 90 code`__
+
+ .. include:: allocarr.f90
+ :literal:
+
+ and wrap it using ``f2py -c -m allocarr allocarr.f90``.
+
+ __ allocarr.f90
+
+ In Python:
+
+ .. include:: allocarr_session.dat
+ :literal:
diff --git a/doc/source/f2py/signature-file.rst b/doc/source/f2py/signature-file.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f81ee9311
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/source/f2py/signature-file.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,651 @@
+==================
+ Signature file
+==================
+
+The syntax specification for signature files (.pyf files) is borrowed
+from the Fortran 90/95 language specification. Almost all Fortran
+90/95 standard constructs are understood, both in free and fixed
+format (recall that Fortran 77 is a subset of Fortran 90/95). F2PY
+introduces also some extensions to Fortran 90/95 language
+specification that help designing Fortran to Python interface, make it
+more "Pythonic".
+
+Signature files may contain arbitrary Fortran code (so that Fortran
+codes can be considered as signature files). F2PY silently ignores
+Fortran constructs that are irrelevant for creating the interface.
+However, this includes also syntax errors. So, be careful not making
+ones;-).
+
+In general, the contents of signature files is case-sensitive. When
+scanning Fortran codes and writing a signature file, F2PY lowers all
+cases automatically except in multi-line blocks or when ``--no-lower``
+option is used.
+
+The syntax of signature files is overvied below.
+
+Python module block
+=====================
+
+A signature file may contain one (recommended) or more ``python
+module`` blocks. ``python module`` block describes the contents of
+a Python/C extension module ``<modulename>module.c`` that F2PY
+generates.
+
+Exception: if ``<modulename>`` contains a substring ``__user__``, then
+the corresponding ``python module`` block describes the signatures of
+so-called call-back functions (see :ref:`Call-back arguments`).
+
+A ``python module`` block has the following structure::
+
+ python module <modulename>
+ [<usercode statement>]...
+ [
+ interface
+ <usercode statement>
+ <Fortran block data signatures>
+ <Fortran/C routine signatures>
+ end [interface]
+ ]...
+ [
+ interface
+ module <F90 modulename>
+ [<F90 module data type declarations>]
+ [<F90 module routine signatures>]
+ end [module [<F90 modulename>]]
+ end [interface]
+ ]...
+ end [python module [<modulename>]]
+
+Here brackets ``[]`` indicate a optional part, dots ``...`` indicate
+one or more of a previous part. So, ``[]...`` reads zero or more of a
+previous part.
+
+
+Fortran/C routine signatures
+=============================
+
+The signature of a Fortran routine has the following structure::
+
+ [<typespec>] function | subroutine <routine name> \
+ [ ( [<arguments>] ) ] [ result ( <entityname> ) ]
+ [<argument/variable type declarations>]
+ [<argument/variable attribute statements>]
+ [<use statements>]
+ [<common block statements>]
+ [<other statements>]
+ end [ function | subroutine [<routine name>] ]
+
+From a Fortran routine signature F2PY generates a Python/C extension
+function that has the following signature::
+
+ def <routine name>(<required arguments>[,<optional arguments>]):
+ ...
+ return <return variables>
+
+The signature of a Fortran block data has the following structure::
+
+ block data [ <block data name> ]
+ [<variable type declarations>]
+ [<variable attribute statements>]
+ [<use statements>]
+ [<common block statements>]
+ [<include statements>]
+ end [ block data [<block data name>] ]
+
+Type declarations
+-----------------
+
+The definition of the ``<argument/variable type declaration>`` part
+is
+
+::
+
+ <typespec> [ [<attrspec>] :: ] <entitydecl>
+
+where
+
+::
+
+ <typespec> := byte | character [<charselector>]
+ | complex [<kindselector>] | real [<kindselector>]
+ | double complex | double precision
+ | integer [<kindselector>] | logical [<kindselector>]
+
+ <charselector> := * <charlen>
+ | ( [len=] <len> [ , [kind=] <kind>] )
+ | ( kind= <kind> [ , len= <len> ] )
+ <kindselector> := * <intlen> | ( [kind=] <kind> )
+
+ <entitydecl> := <name> [ [ * <charlen> ] [ ( <arrayspec> ) ]
+ | [ ( <arrayspec> ) ] * <charlen> ]
+ | [ / <init_expr> / | = <init_expr> ] \
+ [ , <entitydecl> ]
+
+and
+
++ ``<attrspec>`` is a comma separated list of attributes_;
+
++ ``<arrayspec>`` is a comma separated list of dimension bounds;
+
++ ``<init_expr>`` is a `C expression`__.
+
++ ``<intlen>`` may be negative integer for ``integer`` type
+ specifications. In such cases ``integer*<negintlen>`` represents
+ unsigned C integers.
+
+__ `C expressions`_
+
+If an argument has no ``<argument type declaration>``, its type is
+determined by applying ``implicit`` rules to its name.
+
+
+Statements
+----------
+
+Attribute statements:
+ The ``<argument/variable attribute statement>`` is
+ ``<argument/variable type declaration>`` without ``<typespec>``.
+ In addition, in an attribute statement one cannot use other
+ attributes, also ``<entitydecl>`` can be only a list of names.
+
+Use statements:
+ The definition of the ``<use statement>`` part is
+
+ ::
+
+ use <modulename> [ , <rename_list> | , ONLY : <only_list> ]
+
+ where
+
+ ::
+
+ <rename_list> := <local_name> => <use_name> [ , <rename_list> ]
+
+ Currently F2PY uses ``use`` statement only for linking call-back
+ modules and ``external`` arguments (call-back functions), see
+ :ref:`Call-back arguments`.
+
+Common block statements:
+ The definition of the ``<common block statement>`` part is
+
+ ::
+
+ common / <common name> / <shortentitydecl>
+
+ where
+
+ ::
+
+ <shortentitydecl> := <name> [ ( <arrayspec> ) ] [ , <shortentitydecl> ]
+
+ One ``python module`` block should not contain two or more
+ ``common`` blocks with the same name. Otherwise, the latter ones are
+ ignored. The types of variables in ``<shortentitydecl>`` are defined
+ using ``<argument type declarations>``. Note that the corresponding
+ ``<argument type declarations>`` may contain array specifications;
+ then you don't need to specify these in ``<shortentitydecl>``.
+
+Other statements:
+ The ``<other statement>`` part refers to any other Fortran language
+ constructs that are not described above. F2PY ignores most of them
+ except
+
+ + ``call`` statements and function calls of ``external`` arguments
+ (`more details`__?);
+
+ __ external_
+
+ + ``include`` statements
+ ::
+
+ include '<filename>'
+ include "<filename>"
+
+ If a file ``<filename>`` does not exist, the ``include``
+ statement is ignored. Otherwise, the file ``<filename>`` is
+ included to a signature file. ``include`` statements can be used
+ in any part of a signature file, also outside the Fortran/C
+ routine signature blocks.
+
+ + ``implicit`` statements
+ ::
+
+ implicit none
+ implicit <list of implicit maps>
+
+ where
+
+ ::
+
+ <implicit map> := <typespec> ( <list of letters or range of letters> )
+
+ Implicit rules are used to deterimine the type specification of
+ a variable (from the first-letter of its name) if the variable
+ is not defined using ``<variable type declaration>``. Default
+ implicit rule is given by
+
+ ::
+
+ implicit real (a-h,o-z,$_), integer (i-m)
+
+ + ``entry`` statements
+ ::
+
+ entry <entry name> [([<arguments>])]
+
+ F2PY generates wrappers to all entry names using the signature
+ of the routine block.
+
+ Tip: ``entry`` statement can be used to describe the signature
+ of an arbitrary routine allowing F2PY to generate a number of
+ wrappers from only one routine block signature. There are few
+ restrictions while doing this: ``fortranname`` cannot be used,
+ ``callstatement`` and ``callprotoargument`` can be used only if
+ they are valid for all entry routines, etc.
+
+ In addition, F2PY introduces the following statements:
+
+ + ``threadsafe``
+ Use ``Py_BEGIN_ALLOW_THREADS .. Py_END_ALLOW_THREADS`` block
+ around the call to Fortran/C function.
+
+ + ``callstatement <C-expr|multi-line block>``
+ Replace F2PY generated call statement to Fortran/C function with
+ ``<C-expr|multi-line block>``. The wrapped Fortran/C function
+ is available as ``(*f2py_func)``. To raise an exception, set
+ ``f2py_success = 0`` in ``<C-expr|multi-line block>``.
+
+ + ``callprotoargument <C-typespecs>``
+ When ``callstatement`` statement is used then F2PY may not
+ generate proper prototypes for Fortran/C functions (because
+ ``<C-expr>`` may contain any function calls and F2PY has no way
+ to determine what should be the proper prototype). With this
+ statement you can explicitely specify the arguments of the
+ corresponding prototype::
+
+ extern <return type> FUNC_F(<routine name>,<ROUTINE NAME>)(<callprotoargument>);
+
+ + ``fortranname [<acctual Fortran/C routine name>]``
+ You can use arbitrary ``<routine name>`` for a given Fortran/C
+ function. Then you have to specify
+ ``<acctual Fortran/C routine name>`` with this statement.
+
+ If ``fortranname`` statement is used without
+ ``<acctual Fortran/C routine name>`` then a dummy wrapper is
+ generated.
+
+ + ``usercode <multi-line block>``
+ When used inside ``python module`` block, then given C code
+ will be inserted to generated C/API source just before
+ wrapper function definitions. Here you can define arbitrary
+ C functions to be used in initialization of optional arguments,
+ for example. If ``usercode`` is used twise inside ``python
+ module`` block then the second multi-line block is inserted
+ after the definition of external routines.
+
+ When used inside ``<routine singature>``, then given C code will
+ be inserted to the corresponding wrapper function just after
+ declaring variables but before any C statements. So, ``usercode``
+ follow-up can contain both declarations and C statements.
+
+ When used inside the first ``interface`` block, then given C
+ code will be inserted at the end of the initialization
+ function of the extension module. Here you can modify extension
+ modules dictionary. For example, for defining additional
+ variables etc.
+
+ + ``pymethoddef <multi-line block>``
+ Multiline block will be inserted to the definition of
+ module methods ``PyMethodDef``-array. It must be a
+ comma-separated list of C arrays (see `Extending and Embedding`__
+ Python documentation for details).
+ ``pymethoddef`` statement can be used only inside
+ ``python module`` block.
+
+ __ http://www.python.org/doc/current/ext/ext.html
+
+Attributes
+------------
+
+The following attributes are used by F2PY:
+
+``optional``
+ The corresponding argument is moved to the end of ``<optional
+ arguments>`` list. A default value for an optional argument can be
+ specified ``<init_expr>``, see ``entitydecl`` definition. Note that
+ the default value must be given as a valid C expression.
+
+ Note that whenever ``<init_expr>`` is used, ``optional`` attribute
+ is set automatically by F2PY.
+
+ For an optional array argument, all its dimensions must be bounded.
+
+``required``
+ The corresponding argument is considered as a required one. This is
+ default. You need to specify ``required`` only if there is a need to
+ disable automatic ``optional`` setting when ``<init_expr>`` is used.
+
+ If Python ``None`` object is used as an required argument, the
+ argument is treated as optional. That is, in the case of array
+ argument, the memory is allocated. And if ``<init_expr>`` is given,
+ the corresponding initialization is carried out.
+
+``dimension(<arrayspec>)``
+ The corresponding variable is considered as an array with given
+ dimensions in ``<arrayspec>``.
+
+``intent(<intentspec>)``
+ This specifies the "intention" of the corresponding
+ argument. ``<intentspec>`` is a comma separated list of the
+ following keys:
+
+ + ``in``
+ The argument is considered as an input-only argument. It means
+ that the value of the argument is passed to Fortran/C function and
+ that function is expected not to change the value of an argument.
+
+ + ``inout``
+ The argument is considered as an input/output or *in situ*
+ output argument. ``intent(inout)`` arguments can be only
+ "contiguous" Numeric arrays with proper type and size. Here
+ "contiguous" can be either in Fortran or C sense. The latter one
+ coincides with the contiguous concept used in Numeric and is
+ effective only if ``intent(c)`` is used. Fortran-contiguousness
+ is assumed by default.
+
+ Using ``intent(inout)`` is generally not recommended, use
+ ``intent(in,out)`` instead. See also ``intent(inplace)`` attribute.
+
+ + ``inplace``
+ The argument is considered as an input/output or *in situ*
+ output argument. ``intent(inplace)`` arguments must be
+ Numeric arrays with proper size. If the type of an array is
+ not "proper" or the array is non-contiguous then the array
+ will be changed in-place to fix the type and make it contiguous.
+
+ Using ``intent(inplace)`` is generally not recommended either.
+ For example, when slices have been taken from an
+ ``intent(inplace)`` argument then after in-place changes,
+ slices data pointers may point to unallocated memory area.
+
+ + ``out``
+ The argument is considered as an return variable. It is appended
+ to the ``<returned variables>`` list. Using ``intent(out)``
+ sets ``intent(hide)`` automatically, unless also
+ ``intent(in)`` or ``intent(inout)`` were used.
+
+ By default, returned multidimensional arrays are
+ Fortran-contiguous. If ``intent(c)`` is used, then returned
+ multi-dimensional arrays are C-contiguous.
+
+ + ``hide``
+ The argument is removed from the list of required or optional
+ arguments. Typically ``intent(hide)`` is used with ``intent(out)``
+ or when ``<init_expr>`` completely determines the value of the
+ argument like in the following example::
+
+ integer intent(hide),depend(a) :: n = len(a)
+ real intent(in),dimension(n) :: a
+
+ + ``c``
+ The argument is treated as a C scalar or C array argument. In
+ the case of a scalar argument, its value is passed to C function
+ as a C scalar argument (recall that Fortran scalar arguments are
+ actually C pointer arguments). In the case of an array
+ argument, the wrapper function is assumed to treat
+ multi-dimensional arrays as C-contiguous arrays.
+
+ There is no need to use ``intent(c)`` for one-dimensional
+ arrays, no matter if the wrapped function is either a Fortran or
+ a C function. This is because the concepts of Fortran- and
+ C-contiguousness overlap in one-dimensional cases.
+
+ If ``intent(c)`` is used as an statement but without entity
+ declaration list, then F2PY adds ``intent(c)`` attibute to all
+ arguments.
+
+ Also, when wrapping C functions, one must use ``intent(c)``
+ attribute for ``<routine name>`` in order to disable Fortran
+ specific ``F_FUNC(..,..)`` macros.
+
+ + ``cache``
+ The argument is treated as a junk of memory. No Fortran nor C
+ contiguousness checks are carried out. Using ``intent(cache)``
+ makes sense only for array arguments, also in connection with
+ ``intent(hide)`` or ``optional`` attributes.
+
+ + ``copy``
+ Ensure that the original contents of ``intent(in)`` argument is
+ preserved. Typically used in connection with ``intent(in,out)``
+ attribute. F2PY creates an optional argument
+ ``overwrite_<argument name>`` with the default value ``0``.
+
+ + ``overwrite``
+ The original contents of the ``intent(in)`` argument may be
+ altered by the Fortran/C function. F2PY creates an optional
+ argument ``overwrite_<argument name>`` with the default value
+ ``1``.
+
+ + ``out=<new name>``
+ Replace the return name with ``<new name>`` in the ``__doc__``
+ string of a wrapper function.
+
+ + ``callback``
+ Construct an external function suitable for calling Python function
+ from Fortran. ``intent(callback)`` must be specified before the
+ corresponding ``external`` statement. If 'argument' is not in
+ argument list then it will be added to Python wrapper but only
+ initializing external function.
+
+ Use ``intent(callback)`` in situations where a Fortran/C code
+ assumes that a user implements a function with given prototype
+ and links it to an executable. Don't use ``intent(callback)``
+ if function appears in the argument list of a Fortran routine.
+
+ With ``intent(hide)`` or ``optional`` attributes specified and
+ using a wrapper function without specifying the callback argument
+ in argument list then call-back function is looked in the
+ namespace of F2PY generated extension module where it can be
+ set as a module attribute by a user.
+
+ + ``aux``
+ Define auxiliary C variable in F2PY generated wrapper function.
+ Useful to save parameter values so that they can be accessed
+ in initialization expression of other variables. Note that
+ ``intent(aux)`` silently implies ``intent(c)``.
+
+ The following rules apply:
+
+ + If no ``intent(in | inout | out | hide)`` is specified,
+ ``intent(in)`` is assumed.
+ + ``intent(in,inout)`` is ``intent(in)``.
+ + ``intent(in,hide)`` or ``intent(inout,hide)`` is
+ ``intent(hide)``.
+ + ``intent(out)`` is ``intent(out,hide)`` unless ``intent(in)`` or
+ ``intent(inout)`` is specified.
+ + If ``intent(copy)`` or ``intent(overwrite)`` is used, then an
+ additional optional argument is introduced with a name
+ ``overwrite_<argument name>`` and a default value 0 or 1, respectively.
+ + ``intent(inout,inplace)`` is ``intent(inplace)``.
+ + ``intent(in,inplace)`` is ``intent(inplace)``.
+ + ``intent(hide)`` disables ``optional`` and ``required``.
+
+``check([<C-booleanexpr>])``
+ Perform consistency check of arguments by evaluating
+ ``<C-booleanexpr>``; if ``<C-booleanexpr>`` returns 0, an exception
+ is raised.
+
+ If ``check(..)`` is not used then F2PY generates few standard checks
+ (e.g. in a case of an array argument, check for the proper shape
+ and size) automatically. Use ``check()`` to disable checks generated
+ by F2PY.
+
+``depend([<names>])``
+ This declares that the corresponding argument depends on the values
+ of variables in the list ``<names>``. For example, ``<init_expr>``
+ may use the values of other arguments. Using information given by
+ ``depend(..)`` attributes, F2PY ensures that arguments are
+ initialized in a proper order. If ``depend(..)`` attribute is not
+ used then F2PY determines dependence relations automatically. Use
+ ``depend()`` to disable dependence relations generated by F2PY.
+
+ When you edit dependence relations that were initially generated by
+ F2PY, be careful not to break the dependence relations of other
+ relevant variables. Another thing to watch out is cyclic
+ dependencies. F2PY is able to detect cyclic dependencies
+ when constructing wrappers and it complains if any are found.
+
+``allocatable``
+ The corresponding variable is Fortran 90 allocatable array defined
+ as Fortran 90 module data.
+
+.. _external:
+
+``external``
+ The corresponding argument is a function provided by user. The
+ signature of this so-called call-back function can be defined
+
+ - in ``__user__`` module block,
+ - or by demonstrative (or real, if the signature file is a real Fortran
+ code) call in the ``<other statements>`` block.
+
+ For example, F2PY generates from
+
+ ::
+
+ external cb_sub, cb_fun
+ integer n
+ real a(n),r
+ call cb_sub(a,n)
+ r = cb_fun(4)
+
+ the following call-back signatures::
+
+ subroutine cb_sub(a,n)
+ real dimension(n) :: a
+ integer optional,check(len(a)>=n),depend(a) :: n=len(a)
+ end subroutine cb_sub
+ function cb_fun(e_4_e) result (r)
+ integer :: e_4_e
+ real :: r
+ end function cb_fun
+
+ The corresponding user-provided Python function are then::
+
+ def cb_sub(a,[n]):
+ ...
+ return
+ def cb_fun(e_4_e):
+ ...
+ return r
+
+ See also ``intent(callback)`` attribute.
+
+``parameter``
+ The corresponding variable is a parameter and it must have a fixed
+ value. F2PY replaces all parameter occurrences by their
+ corresponding values.
+
+Extensions
+============
+
+F2PY directives
+-----------------
+
+The so-called F2PY directives allow using F2PY signature file
+constructs also in Fortran 77/90 source codes. With this feature you
+can skip (almost) completely intermediate signature file generations
+and apply F2PY directly to Fortran source codes.
+
+F2PY directive has the following form::
+
+ <comment char>f2py ...
+
+where allowed comment characters for fixed and free format Fortran
+codes are ``cC*!#`` and ``!``, respectively. Everything that follows
+``<comment char>f2py`` is ignored by a compiler but read by F2PY as a
+normal Fortran (non-comment) line:
+
+ When F2PY finds a line with F2PY directive, the directive is first
+ replaced by 5 spaces and then the line is reread.
+
+For fixed format Fortran codes, ``<comment char>`` must be at the
+first column of a file, of course. For free format Fortran codes,
+F2PY directives can appear anywhere in a file.
+
+C expressions
+--------------
+
+C expressions are used in the following parts of signature files:
+
+* ``<init_expr>`` of variable initialization;
+* ``<C-booleanexpr>`` of the ``check`` attribute;
+* ``<arrayspec> of the ``dimension`` attribute;
+* ``callstatement`` statement, here also a C multi-line block can be used.
+
+A C expression may contain:
+
+* standard C constructs;
+* functions from ``math.h`` and ``Python.h``;
+* variables from the argument list, presumably initialized before
+ according to given dependence relations;
+* the following CPP macros:
+
+ ``rank(<name>)``
+ Returns the rank of an array ``<name>``.
+ ``shape(<name>,<n>)``
+ Returns the ``<n>``-th dimension of an array ``<name>``.
+ ``len(<name>)``
+ Returns the lenght of an array ``<name>``.
+ ``size(<name>)``
+ Returns the size of an array ``<name>``.
+ ``slen(<name>)``
+ Returns the length of a string ``<name>``.
+
+For initializing an array ``<array name>``, F2PY generates a loop over
+all indices and dimensions that executes the following
+pseudo-statement::
+
+ <array name>(_i[0],_i[1],...) = <init_expr>;
+
+where ``_i[<i>]`` refers to the ``<i>``-th index value and that runs
+from ``0`` to ``shape(<array name>,<i>)-1``.
+
+For example, a function ``myrange(n)`` generated from the following
+signature
+
+::
+
+ subroutine myrange(a,n)
+ fortranname ! myrange is a dummy wrapper
+ integer intent(in) :: n
+ real*8 intent(c,out),dimension(n),depend(n) :: a = _i[0]
+ end subroutine myrange
+
+is equivalent to ``Numeric.arange(n,typecode='d')``.
+
+.. warning::
+
+ F2PY may lower cases also in C expressions when scanning Fortran codes
+ (see ``--[no]-lower`` option).
+
+Multi-line blocks
+------------------
+
+A multi-line block starts with ``'''`` (triple single-quotes) and ends
+with ``'''`` in some *strictly* subsequent line. Multi-line blocks can
+be used only within .pyf files. The contents of a multi-line block can
+be arbitrary (except that it cannot contain ``'''``) and no
+transformations (e.g. lowering cases) are applied to it.
+
+Currently, multi-line blocks can be used in the following constructs:
+
++ as a C expression of the ``callstatement`` statement;
+
++ as a C type specification of the ``callprotoargument`` statement;
+
++ as a C code block of the ``usercode`` statement;
+
++ as a list of C arrays of the ``pymethoddef`` statement;
+
++ as documentation string.
diff --git a/doc/source/f2py/usage.rst b/doc/source/f2py/usage.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2011c662a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/source/f2py/usage.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,233 @@
+===========
+Using F2PY
+===========
+
+F2PY can be used either as a command line tool ``f2py`` or as a Python
+module ``f2py2e``.
+
+Command ``f2py``
+=================
+
+When used as a command line tool, ``f2py`` has three major modes,
+distinguished by the usage of ``-c`` and ``-h`` switches:
+
+1. To scan Fortran sources and generate a signature file, use
+
+ ::
+
+ f2py -h <filename.pyf> <options> <fortran files> \
+ [[ only: <fortran functions> : ] \
+ [ skip: <fortran functions> : ]]... \
+ [<fortran files> ...]
+
+ Note that a Fortran source file can contain many routines, and not
+ necessarily all routines are needed to be used from Python. So, you
+ can either specify which routines should be wrapped (in ``only: .. :``
+ part) or which routines F2PY should ignored (in ``skip: .. :`` part).
+
+ If ``<filename.pyf>`` is specified as ``stdout`` then signatures
+ are send to standard output instead of a file.
+
+ Among other options (see below), the following options can be used
+ in this mode:
+
+ ``--overwrite-signature``
+ Overwrite existing signature file.
+
+2. To construct an extension module, use
+
+ ::
+
+ f2py <options> <fortran files> \
+ [[ only: <fortran functions> : ] \
+ [ skip: <fortran functions> : ]]... \
+ [<fortran files> ...]
+
+ The constructed extension module is saved as
+ ``<modulename>module.c`` to the current directory.
+
+ Here ``<fortran files>`` may also contain signature files.
+ Among other options (see below), the following options can be used
+ in this mode:
+
+ ``--debug-capi``
+ Add debugging hooks to the extension module. When using this
+ extension module, various information about the wrapper is printed
+ to standard output, for example, the values of variables, the
+ steps taken, etc.
+
+ ``-include'<includefile>'``
+ Add a CPP ``#include`` statement to the extension module source.
+ ``<includefile>`` should be given in one of the following forms::
+
+ "filename.ext"
+ <filename.ext>
+
+ The include statement is inserted just before the wrapper
+ functions. This feature enables using arbitrary C functions
+ (defined in ``<includefile>``) in F2PY generated wrappers.
+
+ This option is deprecated. Use ``usercode`` statement to specify
+ C codelets directly in signature filess
+
+ ``--[no-]wrap-functions``
+
+ Create Fortran subroutine wrappers to Fortran functions.
+ ``--wrap-functions`` is default because it ensures maximum
+ portability and compiler independence.
+
+ ``--include-paths <path1>:<path2>:..``
+ Search include files from given directories.
+
+ ``--help-link [<list of resources names>]``
+ List system resources found by ``numpy_distutils/system_info.py``.
+ For example, try ``f2py --help-link lapack_opt``.
+
+3. To build an extension module, use
+
+ ::
+
+ f2py -c <options> <fortran files> \
+ [[ only: <fortran functions> : ] \
+ [ skip: <fortran functions> : ]]... \
+ [ <fortran/c source files> ] [ <.o, .a, .so files> ]
+
+ If ``<fortran files>`` contains a signature file, then a source for
+ an extension module is constructed, all Fortran and C sources are
+ compiled, and finally all object and library files are linked to the
+ extension module ``<modulename>.so`` which is saved into the current
+ directory.
+
+ If ``<fortran files>`` does not contain a signature file, then an
+ extension module is constructed by scanning all Fortran source codes
+ for routine signatures.
+
+ Among other options (see below) and options described in previous
+ mode, the following options can be used in this mode:
+
+ ``--help-fcompiler``
+ List available Fortran compilers.
+ ``--help-compiler`` [depreciated]
+ List available Fortran compilers.
+ ``--fcompiler=<Vendor>``
+ Specify Fortran compiler type by vendor.
+ ``--f77exec=<path>``
+ Specify the path to F77 compiler
+ ``--fcompiler-exec=<path>`` [depreciated]
+ Specify the path to F77 compiler
+ ``--f90exec=<path>``
+ Specify the path to F90 compiler
+ ``--f90compiler-exec=<path>`` [depreciated]
+ Specify the path to F90 compiler
+
+ ``--f77flags=<string>``
+ Specify F77 compiler flags
+ ``--f90flags=<string>``
+ Specify F90 compiler flags
+ ``--opt=<string>``
+ Specify optimization flags
+ ``--arch=<string>``
+ Specify architecture specific optimization flags
+ ``--noopt``
+ Compile without optimization
+ ``--noarch``
+ Compile without arch-dependent optimization
+ ``--debug``
+ Compile with debugging information
+
+ ``-l<libname>``
+ Use the library ``<libname>`` when linking.
+ ``-D<macro>[=<defn=1>]``
+ Define macro ``<macro>`` as ``<defn>``.
+ ``-U<macro>``
+ Define macro ``<macro>``
+ ``-I<dir>``
+ Append directory ``<dir>`` to the list of directories searched for
+ include files.
+ ``-L<dir>``
+ Add directory ``<dir>`` to the list of directories to be searched
+ for ``-l``.
+
+ ``link-<resource>``
+
+ Link extension module with <resource> as defined by
+ ``numpy_distutils/system_info.py``. E.g. to link with optimized
+ LAPACK libraries (vecLib on MacOSX, ATLAS elsewhere), use
+ ``--link-lapack_opt``. See also ``--help-link`` switch.
+
+ When building an extension module, a combination of the following
+ macros may be required for non-gcc Fortran compilers::
+
+ -DPREPEND_FORTRAN
+ -DNO_APPEND_FORTRAN
+ -DUPPERCASE_FORTRAN
+
+ To test the performance of F2PY generated interfaces, use
+ ``-DF2PY_REPORT_ATEXIT``. Then a report of various timings is
+ printed out at the exit of Python. This feature may not work on
+ all platforms, currently only Linux platform is supported.
+
+ To see whether F2PY generated interface performs copies of array
+ arguments, use ``-DF2PY_REPORT_ON_ARRAY_COPY=<int>``. When the size
+ of an array argument is larger than ``<int>``, a message about
+ the coping is sent to ``stderr``.
+
+Other options:
+
+``-m <modulename>``
+ Name of an extension module. Default is ``untitled``. Don't use this option
+ if a signature file (\*.pyf) is used.
+``--[no-]lower``
+ Do [not] lower the cases in ``<fortran files>``. By default,
+ ``--lower`` is assumed with ``-h`` switch, and ``--no-lower``
+ without the ``-h`` switch.
+``--build-dir <dirname>``
+ All F2PY generated files are created in ``<dirname>``. Default is
+ ``tempfile.mktemp()``.
+``--quiet``
+ Run quietly.
+``--verbose``
+ Run with extra verbosity.
+``-v``
+ Print f2py version ID and exit.
+
+Execute ``f2py`` without any options to get an up-to-date list of
+available options.
+
+Python module ``f2py2e``
+=========================
+
+.. warning::
+
+ The current Python interface to ``f2py2e`` module is not mature and
+ may change in future depending on users needs.
+
+The following functions are provided by the ``f2py2e`` module:
+
+``run_main(<list>)``
+ Equivalent to running::
+
+ f2py <args>
+
+ where ``<args>=string.join(<list>,' ')``, but in Python. Unless
+ ``-h`` is used, this function returns a dictionary containing
+ information on generated modules and their dependencies on source
+ files. For example, the command ``f2py -m scalar scalar.f`` can be
+ executed from Python as follows
+
+ .. include:: run_main_session.dat
+ :literal:
+
+ You cannot build extension modules with this function, that is,
+ using ``-c`` is not allowed. Use ``compile`` command instead, see
+ below.
+
+``compile(source, modulename='untitled', extra_args='', verbose=1, source_fn=None)``
+ Build extension module from Fortran 77 source string ``source``.
+ Return 0 if successful.
+ Note that this function actually calls ``f2py -c ..`` from shell to
+ ensure safety of the current Python process.
+ For example,
+
+ .. include:: compile_session.dat
+ :literal: